芥川龍之介於大正10 年（1921）以《每日新聞社》視察員的身份前往中國。他在大正14 年（1925）出版了他的考察紀錄。另一方面，他在同年從中國旅行 歸國後，發表了短篇小說〈好色〉。 一般而言，〈好色〉這部作品的價值並不高。這是因為它被認為只是對被視為原作的說話稍作潤色，基本上直接沿用了其內容。而實際上，作為題材的說話與這篇短篇小說的故事確實極為相似。 因此，本文將首先確認短篇小說〈好色〉的結構，進而透過推測芥川在該短篇中所寄託的意圖，來探討是否有可能稍微提高此作品的價值。 具體而言，本文將芥川對中國視察後的失望與輕蔑，與主人公對女性及自身關係的情感相互對應，並進一步認為，即便如此，主人公仍然在女性身上發現的主觀美感，也可能反映了芥川對中國所抱持的某種情感。

In 1921 (Taishō 10), Akutagawa Ryunosuke traveled to China as an inspector for the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper company. He later published his travel records in 1925 (Taishō 14). Meanwhile, in the same year of his return from China, he released the short story “Kōshoku (Lust)”. Generally, “Kōshoku (Lust)” is not considered a highly valuable work. This is because it was thought to have merely embellished and directly adopted a folktale regarded as its original source. Indeed, the folktale that served as its inspiration bears a striking resemblance to the short story itself. Thus, this paper will first analyze the structure of “Kōshoku (Lust)” and, through an examination of Akutagawa’s possible intentions behind the story, explore the possibility of reevaluating its literary value, even if only slightly. Specifically, this paper suggests that Akutagawa’s disappointment and contempt toward China after his inspection trip parallel the protagonist’s emotions toward his relationship with the woman. Furthermore, despite his disillusionment, the protagonist’s subjective perception of beauty in the woman may reflect Akutagawa’s lingering aesthetic appreciation for China.

芥川龍之介; 中國視察; 失望; 〈好色〉; 主人公

Akutagawa Ryunosuke; China Inspection; Disappointment; “Kōshoku (Lust)”; Protagonist