Meditations - Seikenroku

This is a collection of essays written by Sakuma Shozan, a pioneer of the late Edo period. It consists of one volume and two appendices. In 1854 (Ansei 1), Sakuma was imprisoned in Edo Tenmacho Prison for his involvement in the failed stowaway attempt of his disciple Yoshida Shoin. After his release, Sakuma wrote down his thoughts and feelings, and in 1871 (Meiji 4) it was first published with a preface by Katsu Kaishu. The title of the book means a record of reflection on mistakes, but there is almost no self-blame, and his own thoughts and actions are justified, with criticism of others at the forefront. The book consists of 57 articles discussing scholarship, coastal defense, current affairs, etc., and an appendix containing short essays and poems, and shows the essence of Shozan's thought. The famous phrase "Eastern morality, Western art (technology)," which symbolizes Shozan's intellectual world, also appears in this book.

[Tadashi Ishige]

"Tadao Iijima's translation and annotated "Shoryoku" (Iwanami Bunko)" ▽ "Rei Matsuura's edited and translated "Sakuma Shozan" (1972, Chuokoron-Shinsha)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

幕末の先覚者佐久間象山(しょうざん)著の随想録。一巻、付録二巻。1854年（安政1）、門人吉田松陰(しょういん)の密航失敗事件に連座して江戸伝馬町(てんまちょう)の獄につながれていたときの感懐を、出獄後に筆録したもので、71年（明治4）、勝海舟(かつかいしゅう)の序文を付して初めて刊行された。書名は諐(あやまち)を省みた記録という意味であるが、自責の念などはほとんど認められず、自己の思想と行動が正当化され、他への批判が前面に押し出されている。学問、海防、時事などを論じた57条の本文と、短文、詩歌を収めた付録からなり、象山の思想の精髄が示されている。象山の知的世界を象徴する有名な「東洋の道徳、西洋の芸術（技術）」ということばも本書のなかにみえる。

［石毛　忠］

『飯島忠夫訳注『省諐録』（岩波文庫）』▽『松浦玲編・訳『佐久間象山』（1972・中央公論社）』

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