This study aims to examine the written records on illusion in the Yeonhaengrok and discuss the formation and the characteristics of records on illusion. The society of Chosun Dynasty, basically, shared negative view on illusion. But we can find many r...
This study aims to examine the written records on illusion in the Yeonhaengrok and discuss the formation and the characteristics of records on illusion. The society of Chosun Dynasty, basically, shared negative view on illusion. But we can find many records on illusion in the Yeonhaengrok, Some of them describe more details than any other Chinese documents. Records on illusion after 18th century show a big progress in quality along with quantity. I argue that in the formation of records on illusion, there was something more than an observer`s ability of perception. Reading of books on illusion, informations of illusion expressed in Korean writings, and accumulation of records on illusion in Yeonhaengrok influenced on the progress in quality of records on illusion. Among the records after 18th century. especially Hwansool by Hong Daeyong, Hwanheegi by Park Jiwon, Hwansoolgi by Kim Kyungson are worth to pay attention, Hwansool by Hong Daeyong is the first work that dealt illusion as a independent theme and focused on the principle of performance. Hwanheegi by Park Jiwon is the best record on illusion after 18th century. It made a big progress in the level of writing by both the quantity and the qualiy. It also is important because it built a frame of discussion beyond a simple record. Hwansoolgi by Kim Kyungsun tried to make a complete record of all the illusionist performances staged in China. He refered to the records of Hong and Park in the process of recording what he saw and heard. Travelogue is made of writer`s self-centered selection of his experiences. And this act of selection is decided by writer`s interest and taste, Changes made in the records of illusion in Yeonhaengrok after 18th century is an example. Illusion which used to be the object of denial and disregard turned into the object of meaningful experience. We can assume there was change of interest and taste of writers of Yeonhaengrok. So it is necessary to examine the changes in the records on illusion in Yeonhaengrok after 18th century in relation with the change of themes in classical writing.