The Russian Understanding of Manchu in the Second Half of the 19th Century: Focusing on Zakharov’s Complete Manchu-Russian Dictionary and the Contemporary Works

Abstract

Sinology and Manchu studies in Russia are famous for their traditions and their own path of development. Since the 18th century, members of the Russian Orthodox mission devoted themselves to sinology and Manchu studies, especially in the second half of the 19th century, when they carried out a large number of studies on the history of the Qing dynasty and the Manchu language that deserve our attention. This article analyzes entries related to Manchu in the Complete Manchu-Russian Dictionary by I. I. Zakharov. By comparing selected entries of the Complete Manchu-Russian Dictionary with two OTHER Manchu Dictionaries, namely Da Qing Quan Shu and Yuzhi Zengding Qingwen Jian, the article demonstrates how I. I. Zakharov defined the vocabulary and differences of interpretations in these dictionaries. By comparing entries with information from contemporary works, such as Works on Chinese Issues by Russian Missionaries in Beijing in the Mid-19th Century and the travel note Travel to China, this article provides an image to understand how vocabulary reflects Russians’ understanding and perception of the Qing Dynasty and Manchu in the second half of the 19th century.