魔芋名实考

Textual Research of Name and Reality for Konjac

魔芋为传统天然食品,用于佐食历史悠久。本文回顾历史文献,细加考证,并通过产地田间调查,得出粗浅见解。认为魔芋原产于我国西南地区,是金沙江文化的产物。当地的原住民彝族可能是最早利用魔芋的族群。魔芋的中文名称可能来自彝族语言对魔芋称呼的谐音。魔芋在汉代传到中原地区,成为素食的食材。后通过佛教传播到日本。

Konjac(Amorphophallus konjac)is a traditional natural food,which has a long history.In this paper,we review the historical literatures and examine them carefully,and obtain the superficial insights through the field investigation.It is believed that konjac is native to southwest China and is the product of Jinsha river culture.Indigenous peoples of the region may be the first to use konjac.The Chinese name of konjac may be derived from the pronunciation of the konjac in the Yi language.Konjac was introduced to the central plains in Han dynasty and became an ingredient of vegetarian foods.Since then,it has spread to Japan through Buddhism.