日本作家司馬遼太郎在書寫中國相關的作品中，流露出司馬特有的「司馬史觀」，其中又以「流民文化」的觀點較為特殊。司馬認爲中國歷史的根底、形成動因都跟「流民」有關，具體而言，司馬認爲中國朝代的輪替跟糧食問題有最直接的關係，因爲能否成爲英雄與能養活流民的數量有關。本論文之主旨即在於分析司馬在這個觀點上的論證，主要從地理環境、歷史事件、現代中國設施等文化角度來探討司馬的「流民文化」觀點，最終再透過對司馬的歷史小說《項羽對劉邦》的分析，來看司馬如何在本著作中鋪陳「流民文化」的理論。
司馬普查了地理環境、歷史事件、現代中國設施等文化現象，從中論斷形而下的食糧問題在整部中國發展史上所扮演的角色；無論從百姓的生活細節，到歷史人物的舉動，甚至到近代的政治走向等，無一不彰顯這個文化現象。
司馬的《項羽對劉邦》一作與其他同爲敘述楚漢相爭歷史之著作較大的不同之處，即在於重視正史與人物刻畫二個特色兼備之餘，司馬更懷抱著一份爲該文化現象尋找出一以貫之答案的企圖心。這個一以貫之的答案即是流民、食糧與英雄的密切關係。劉邦與項羽的成敗原因在於，劉邦陣營明白糧食的重要性，因而極力固守穀倉，吸引大量流民的投靠，壯大了陣營，雖然劉邦無才無德，但是卻能因而建立大漢帝國。從《史記》、《漢書》到近代的中日著作中，論及食糧與英雄誕生之密切關係者首推司馬。
Japanese writer, Shiba ryoutarou, in works related to China, often expresses his unique thought about history, especially his ideas for refugee culture. Shiba thinks that the root and foundation of Chinese history as well as its formation are all linked to refugees. Frankly speaking, Shiba regards the issue of food as a key to influence the transition of Chinese Dynasties, for it is the number of saved refugees that determines a hero's character. Hence, the aim for this essay is to analyze Shiba's view on this issue from aspects such as geographical surrounding, historical events and modern Chinese equipments as well as other cultural phenomenon. Finally, through the analysis of his historical novel, 《Kouu to Ryuuhou》, I will show how Shiba demonstrates his theory of ”the refugee culture” in this work.
Shiba has done a common survey on geographical surrounding, historical events and modern Chinese equipments as well as other cultural phenomenon. From his investigation, he points out the important role of food in the whole Chinese history. The issue of food as a cultural phenomenon reveals its characters through the life details of general public, the action of historical figures and even through the political orientation in recent era.
The major difference that distinguishes Shiba's work 《Kouu to Ryuuhou》 from other works concern with the competition of Chu and Han is that Shiba aims to find an answer to the cultural phenomenon while not neglecting both historical facts and characterization of the protagonists. In short, this very answer is the close relationship between refugees, food and heroes. Liu Bang wins because his camp understands the importance of food. In this way, he keeps the food depository under guard and thus absorbs a large amount of refugees, making his camp larger and larger. Because of this, though not very talented and virtuous, Liu Bang is able to establish the great Han Empire. To conclude, from Shih Chi, Han Shu to the works in modern China and Japan, Shiba is undoubtedly the first to point out the close relationship between food and the birth of great heroes.