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Samurai, Pagan, or Ming Loyalist? The Reconstruction of Zheng Chenggong’s Literary Images in the Netherlands, Japan, and China, 1710-1910
- 1 The Independent Schools Foundation Academy
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Abstract
This paper compares depictions of Zheng Chenggong in Dutch, Japanese, and Chinese popular literature, focusing on plays and opera. Zheng's multifaceted identity and historical events have been reinterpreted by writers from these three countries to explore their proto-national identity. Dutch literature portrays Zheng as a barbaric pagan, Japanese literature emphasizes his Japanese ancestry and loyalty, while Han Chinese revolutionaries depict him as an anti-Qing leader. Zheng's complex character, including his loyalty to the Ming, aggressive invasion of Dutch Taiwan, and mixed military tactics, makes him susceptible to various literary reinterpretations. Authors cherry-pick elements from Zheng's life to fit their own proto-national narratives, resulting in diverse and often contrasting images of him.
Keywords
Zheng Chenggong, Multifaceted identity, Multicultural legacy
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Cite this article
Han,B. (2025). Samurai, Pagan, or Ming Loyalist? The Reconstruction of Zheng Chenggong’s Literary Images in the Netherlands, Japan, and China, 1710-1910. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,82,1-12.
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