This study examines the records of diplomatic mission of envoys to Japan in Joseon dynasty with a focus on their thoughts on the period situation, descriptions and expression techniques and styles. Korean envoys were dispatched to Japan between 1876 a...
This study examines the records of diplomatic mission of envoys to Japan in Joseon dynasty with a focus on their thoughts on the period situation, descriptions and expression techniques and styles. Korean envoys were dispatched to Japan between 1876 and 1884. Among envoys are Kim Gi-soo, Kim Hong-jip, Lee Heon-young, Park Young-hyo, Min Geon-ho, and Park Dae-yang. They visited Japan and wrote their mission results in their diaries, or record of questions and answers, etc.
During Joseon dynasty, the route of cultural exchange with Japan was envoys. In that period, in every case of 12 dispatches, Joseon government collected the information about Japanese society and introduced Korean culture to them. From the first dispatch in 1413 to 12th dispatch in 1811 (or the 22nd year of King Soonjo), the Joseon government maintained a diplomatic relationship with Japan by sending envoys. And since 1811, there were not any formal relationship with the Japan government due to internal and external conditions of Joseon.
Into the late 19th century, while Joseon experienced the invasion of western powers and internal conflicts, some people advocated the doctrine of the defense of orthodoxy and the rejection of heterodoxy emerged and others championed the enlightenment movement. In the beginning, the doctrine was just an academic idea. But as western powers and Japan bluntly showed their invasion ambition in the late 19th century and called on Joseon to change their political system, the idea started to develop into a save-the-nation drive.
In that period, writers of diplomatic mission accounts examined the situation of Japanese society, which opened the door to western powers earlier than Joseon and started to advance into modern society. They continuously asked themselves about how to understand and accept their culture.
This study deals with the 5 reports of envoys from the first 1876 Kim Gi-soo's report to the 5th Park Dae-yang's report, and one report of Japan observation tour group. The study discusses their recognition about the Japanese, and descriptions and expression techniques in the report.
Part Ⅱ identifies the history of envoy dispatch to Japan. Joseon's diplomatic relationship with Japan was ceased in 1811 and resumed after the Gangwha Treaty of 1876. The study examines the background and characteristics of resumed envoy dispatch according to specified periods. Part Ⅲ analyzes the Hanghanpilhyu published by Japanese government for preparing for the visiting of Joseon envoys. The study found that the Joseon's dispatch of envoys for about 10 years was scheduled by the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, and their visiting was limited by them.
Part Ⅳ looks into how Joseon envoys represented the period situation into the reports. Their reports fully describe the reality of Japanese reform. The study examines the reality and goal which Japanese society pursued, in several areas including law enforcement and military, medical and educational systems. And the study also examines the described western culture, including transportation, electric and communication methods, and newspaper. It also examines writers' interest and concern on the westernized life of Japan. The Japanese Meiji government followed western customs in every aspect of life, from basic life style through exhibitions, race tracks, to prostitute quarters. The study explores how the envoys felt about those changes. And at the end, the study discusses how they recognized the international order of that period. At that time, Joseon intellectuals were separated into two groups. One group still worshiped China and the other group propagandized in favor of the rule of international law. They also had a great interest in the U.S. and Russia, and in the internal trade as a way of making the country wealthy.
Part Ⅴidentifies the description methods of such reports. The reports included much modern knowledge and terms, western culture and systems, and realistic descriptions. The study found that their description mainly relied on explanation, while in the part of discussing important issues such as international relations and opening door to western society with Japanese and Chinese embassies, the method of argument was used.
Part Ⅵ examines expression techniques and styles used in the reports of envoys. They frequently used comparison, enumeration, and quotation, while they adopted diary or dialogue styles. Based on above findings, the study summarizes the importance of the late 19th century envoy accounts as a literature work.
Keyword : diplomatic mission, Japan, ??Hanghanpilhyu??, Kim Gi-soo, Kim Hong-jip, Lee Heon-young, Park Young-hyo, Min Geon-ho, and Park Dae-yang.