Three drunken people's debate on governance - Sansuijin Keirinmondo

Written by Nakae Chomin. Published by Shuseisha in 1887 (Meiji 20). With the civil rights movement facing setbacks and the establishment of the Meiji Constitution, the story follows three men drinking together and debating the future course of Japan. One of the men, a democrat, "The Gentleman of Western Learning," preached thorough democratization and unarmed peace based on the causes of liberty, equality, and fraternity, while the aggressor "The Heroic Master" strongly advocated military expansion and advocated the establishment of national sovereignty through the invasion of the continent and using that as leverage for domestic reforms, while the realist "Mr. Nankai" advocated peaceful diplomacy and a defense-oriented national army abroad, and domestically, gradual reforms from "civil rights granted by the Emperor" to "civil rights restored," and from "constitutionalism" to "democracy." Chomin's practical choices, which took a firm look at historical conditions at home and abroad, were in line with the arguments of "Mr. Nankai," but all three were alter egos of Chomin, and by incorporating the arguments of a gentleman of Western learning who held fast to the basic principles of modern civilization and was convinced of the laws of historical evolution, and a hero who responded promptly to the realities of the imperialistic Western powers, his book was intended to broaden the scope of options. This is one of the greatest works of political theory that can foresee the entire process of Japan's modernization.

[Mamoru Wada]

"Three Drunkards' Questions and Answers on the Politics of Government (Iwanami Bunko)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中江兆民(ちょうみん)著。1887年（明治20）集成社刊。民権運動の挫折(ざせつ)と明治憲法の制定を前にして、3人の男が酒を酌み交わしながら、日本の進路について議論を重ねるという構成。その1人、民主主義者「洋学紳士」は、自由・平等・博愛の大義による徹底した民主化と非武装平和論を説き、侵略主義者「豪傑君」は軍備拡張を力説し、大陸侵略とそれをてこにした国内改革による国権の確立を主張、現実主義者「南海先生」は、対外的には平和外交と防衛本位の国民軍構想を、国内的には「恩賜の民権」から「回復の民権」へ、「立憲制」から「民主制」への漸進的改革を唱えた。国内外の歴史的条件を凝視した兆民の実践的な選択は「南海先生」の議論に沿うものであったが、3人とも兆民の分身であり、近代文明の基本理念を堅持し歴史進化の理法を確信する洋学紳士と、帝国主義化する西洋諸列強の現実に即応する豪傑君の議論をくみ入れることによって、選択肢の枠を拡大しようとする意図が込められていた。日本の近代化過程全般を見通しうる政治理論書として最高傑作の一つである。

［和田　守］

『『三酔人経綸問答』（岩波文庫）』

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