The purpose of this study is to make an approach towards the reality of county boundaries of Joseon Dynasty through the records containing the recognition and representation processes of administrative boundaries by their recording subjects. Based on ...
The purpose of this study is to make an approach towards the reality of county boundaries of Joseon Dynasty through the records containing the recognition and representation processes of administrative boundaries by their recording subjects. Based on this, this study established four detailed research topics. First, it spatially represents the texts of administrative boundaries recorded in Jiriji(地理志). Second, it examines the changing processes of administrative boundary records represented on old maps. Third, it examines boundaries of the Joseon Dynasty in modern topographic maps. Fourth, it compares administrative boundaries in “Reconstructed layers of administrative districts using GIS” and <The 2nd Topographic Map>(Gaihozu map(外邦圖) in Korean Peninsula surveyed between 1909 and 1911).
Administrative districts are polygon features that are hierarchically inclusive based on the relationships of administrative units, and administrative boundaries are line features that are geographically aligned with neighboring counties that simultaneously have the characteristics of point features. As linear shape information exists in the form of images, it is not easy to describe in texts. Nevertheless, there has always been a desire for this. A method used to realize this during the Joseon Dynasty devised ‘sabang-gyeonggye(四方境界)’ in Jiriji. As that inertia has been maintained for a long time, even Sigunji(市郡志) of today have inherited its legacy.
Maps are the best media to express linear shape in the form of image. However, the existential value of spatial information is only recognized when it is properly placed onto space so it is not an easy issue placing boundary lines on maps. It has been confirmed that county boundaries have been drawn on maps since the 18th century. This was made possible through grid maps(方眼地圖) using absolute coordinates. Also, county boundaries of the Joseon Dynasty were drawn on modern topographic maps using modern triangulation survey method since the <The 2nd Topographic Map>. Current historical geography researchers have been working to reconstruct the administrative districts and administrative boundaries of the Joseon Dynasty to the geographic coordinate system (referenced with latitude and longitude coordinates) using GIS (Geographic Information System). This article attempts to approach the “Reconstructed layers of administrative districts using GIS” as additional recognitions and records of boundaries during the Joseon Dynasty.
As the characteristics of the above sources selected for this study are respectively heterogeneous, we chose the Historical Geographic Information System (HGIS) as a methodology that can be applied consistently to the entire research process. The Historical GIS also signifies GIS technology for the treatment of historical geographic information (HGI) and it is also HGI itself.
Even though no changes to administrative boundaries were shown based on historical records, there are cases in which distance or direction may be recorded differently on Jiriji or when the locations of boundary lines are changed or drawn differently in old maps. The origins of such phenomena cannot be explained simply. However, what is important is that observations can be made of changes in recognitions regarding the administrative boundaries of boundary expressing subjects. Also, administrative boundaries of the Joseon Dynasty reconstructed by historical geographers may vary by subject of reconstruction or may be different from administrative boundaries of the Joseon Dynasty recorded on modern topographic maps because they were read through records. This article organized the characteristics of records on administrative boundaries observed through various records along with recognitions of the recording subjects as follows.
First, boundary information within Jiriji is recorded compressively using ‘sabang-gyeonggye(四方境界)’. ‘Sabang-gyeonggye’ is described as a form that records linear boundaries as text and connects administrative centers(邑治) with four or more directional boundary points. It is a method in which boundaries are recorded using only four or more dots among linear boundaries. Also, revelations were made that the purpose and significance of ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ records changed by time period. Characteristics of survey records were strong during the early Joseon Dynasty with the purposes of boundary shape and size identification. But towards the late Joseon Dynasty, recognitions viewing ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ records as regional traffic routes became reinforced. As Shin Kyung-joon wanted to systematize national land images using the concept of ‘gyeongwi(經緯)’, he recognized ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ as regional roads and organized them using ‘bangtongjiro(旁通之路)’. On the other hand, Kim Jung-ho adopted a ‘gangyukpyo(疆域表)’ method that is completely different from the previous ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ recording method. Especially, the ‘gangyukpyo’ in “Yodobiji(輿圖備誌)” is a table that displays the distances of ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ realized onto maps. Apart from this, Upji(邑志) of the late Joseon Dynasty continued to supplement and revise existing ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ records, consistently recording ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ as outlines for each respective counties. While this can be understood as the inertia of existing Jiriji systems, it still proves that ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ is still the most efficient method in describing the shapes and sizes of counties with text.
Second, the fact that county boundaries can only be identified from the 18th century indicates that it is difficult to draw linear boundaries on a map. Since the ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ of Jiriji confirm thorough records of boundaries neighboring counties from the early Joseon Dynasty, it is not as if there was no awareness of linear boundaries during the early Joseon Dynasty. The accumulation of geographical information recorded as text in Jiriji and boundaries as images on maps that are oriented around closed curves shared a partnership throughout the Joseon Dynasty period. Shin Kyung-joon's idea of a dotted line boundary on the 20-ri(里) grid map and the development of grid systems(方眼體系) using absolute coordinates enabled the expression of administrative boundaries in large-scale Joseon maps. Boundary determination processes can be seen through the Edge Matching of boundaries in <Joseondo(朝鮮圖)> and <Cheonggudo(靑邱圖)>. Afterwards, detailed boundaries expressed in the <Daedongyeojido(大東輿地圖)> display complexities in the determination of administrative boundaries among topographical boundaries. These can be considered to be explicit expressions on maps that show that administrative boundaries are not just formed by ridges and the center-lines of rivers.
Third, the limitations of existing administrative districts reconstruction methodologies were pinpointed through verification processes of administrative boundary reconstruction made through the overlapping of boundaries in “Reconstructed layers of administrative districts using GIS” and <The 2nd Topographic Map>, and proposals were made of methods that can examine the results of reconstruction of county boundaries in the Joseon Dynasty. It was pointed out that, while administrative districts reconstruction through administrative districts relationships of myeon(面)s, dong(洞)s, and ri(里)s can reconstruct the hierarchy of administrative systems, it is limited in reconstructing the boundaries themselves. Boundary differences between the <The 3rd Topographic Map> and the <The 2nd Topographic Map> are like the gaps between recognitions of administrative boundaries in Joseon and the expression of modern administrative boundaries. The existence of unconfirmed boundaries in itself may show the reality of administrative boundaries during the Joseon Dynasty.
Over the course of three reconstructions of administrative districts during the Joseon Dynasty, administrative boundaries have become more detailed and precise. However, this article points out the fact that observations had not been made of administrative boundaries recorded during the Joseon Dynasty during the reconstruction processes of boundaries during the Joseon Dynasty Period. Records of ‘sabang-gyeonggye’ in Jiriji do not include a great volume of geographic information but they are accumulations of long-living recognitions on boundaries. Also, they signify that the consistent improvement of boundary records from early to late Joseon led to reinforced recognitions of county’s shapes and sizes. Furthermore, on national level, it is also important to note that boundary pieces that form counties can serve as basic data that allow cartographers to create more precise maps.