明代西器东传探研

Introduction of the Western Merchandise into China in Ming Dynasty

本文对明代西器东传的途径、种类作了归纳,对比较具有代表性的西洋奇器如火炮、自鸣钟、眼镜、望远镜、三棱镜、自鸣琴、西洋布等作了重点缕述,认为西器东传是西学东渐的媒介和先导,对明代士大夫的视野和文化观念产生了巨大冲击,指出西器在明朝传播受到限制的原因,除了西器自身的缺陷外,还有明朝经济、政治和文化方面的影响。

The paper categorizes the Western merchandise introduced into China during the Ming Dynasty, with particular attention paid to the canon, clock, eyeglasses, binoculars and telescopes, piano, and cloth. The paper concludes that the coming of the merchandise heralded the modern thoughts and technology in general, and produced great impact on the upper-class Chinese, who, out of fear, rejected them and thus caused China to lag behind in poitics and culture as well as economy.