This article is the summary of author's opinion on the modernization
and tradition of Japan and China from the viewpoint of Confucian culture
based on the experience of lecturing on the history of Japanese culture,
innovation and tradition of Meiji Ishin and culture circle of Chinese letter
while the author stayed in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan of Central Asia for
40 days.
Under the recognition that traditional culture is necessary and important
in the age of innovation, this article investigated concept of tradition in the
first place. Based on it, this article checked the meaning and aspect of
tradition in the course of modernization of China and enlightenment of
civilization of Meiji Ishin in Japan. In the case of China, this article
commented new modern Confucian scholar, especially, Yang Ja Myung that
vehemently debated with those who totally negated the traditional culture
in the process of modernization. Thus, it discussed the situation where
firm ethnic recognition and ethnic culture were positively perceived in the
transition of innovation. In the case of Japan, HukuzayaYukichi and
SibusayaEichi were referred to tell that ‘TalA’ was only politic slogan and
the tradition of Confucian culture was valuated and the moral theory of
Confucianism was also important opportunity in the economic theory of
SibusayaEichi.