Colored eyes - Shikimokujin

During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in China, this term referred to people other than Mongols, Han people (former Jin people), and Nan people (former Southern Song people). It included people mainly from western regions, such as Tanguts, Uighurs, and Naimans. The origin of the word is thought to be an abbreviation of "various kinds of people," meaning "people of various kinds." The Semu people were important players in the Mongol rule of China, and the principle gradually became established that only Semu people other than Mongolians could be appointed to the Dargachi, the administrative head of a region, and they enjoyed many privileges, such as preferential treatment in the imperial examinations. Many Han armies were also organized by Semu people, and they produced high-ranking central government officials, and some were influential people who intervened in the issue of Han succession.

[Kouichi Matsuda]

“Mongolian History Research” written by Wataru Yanai (1930, Toe Shoin)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中国の元代（1271～1368）に、モンゴル人、漢人（旧金国人）、南人（旧南宋(なんそう)人）以外の人々をさした名称。タングート、ウイグル、ナイマンなど、主として西方諸地方出身の人々が含まれる。語源は「さまざまな種類の人」の意味の「諸色目人」の省略とも考えられている。色目人は、モンゴル人の中国支配の重要な担い手で、地方の行政上の長官であるダルガチにはモンゴル人以外では色目人だけが任用されるという原則がしだいに確立していき、科挙試験で優遇されるなど多くの特権を有した。また、色目人で編成されたハンの軍隊も多数あり、中央の高官も輩出し、ハンの継承問題に介入する有力者もあった。

［松田孝一］

『箭内亙著『蒙古史研究』（1930・刀江書院）』

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