This paper is aimed at clarifying the value and significance in terms of documentary literature history by looking into the recording system and content of Injaeilrok which is a diary written by Yagok Joh, Keuk-seon(1595~1658) who belonged to Hoseo Sa...
This paper is aimed at clarifying the value and significance in terms of documentary literature history by looking into the recording system and content of Injaeilrok which is a diary written by Yagok Joh, Keuk-seon(1595~1658) who belonged to Hoseo Salrim in the 17th century. Yagok's diary written at the ages between 15 and 29 is njaeilrok and the diary written at the ages between 30 and 41 is Yagokilrok, which stemmed from the fact that Yagok changed his pen name 'Injae' to 'Yagok.' This paper attempted to strengthen the basis for studies on his diary by doing research on Injaeilrok written during Yagok's growth period first.
Injaeilrok is a diary recording all small and big affairs that came upon Yakgok's daily routine, through which it's possible to vividly get a sense of the culture and living of that time. Particularly, Injaeilrok including even Yagok's growth period is an important diary material to look into his adolescence.
One of the characteristics of Injaeilrok lies in its recording system. Yagok used to keep diary using a 'title', which is a unique recording method distinct from the diaries at that time. While recording a daily course of life, Yagok put a title briefly on every matter, below which he stated detailed contents. In addition, Yagok separated a title from contents visually by writing the title with a medium-size letter, which occupied two lines, and below the title, he used a small-size letter for stating detailed contents. This entry method made it possible to quickly grasp the outline of daily events with the conspicuous title. In addition, Yagok systematically separated the contents using a title and gradually, more concise titles came into existence.
The repetitiously used title changed to a more concise title assuming representativeness, playing a role in integrating several contents
Injaeilrok clearly specified the characteristic of a growth diary in terms of contents. The growth period was the time for Yagok to devote himself to scholarly work and Gwageo(the state examination), and a series of process entangled with his adolescence, and Yagok's agonized appearance due to his studies were entirely written in his diary. Moreover, Yagok took Gwageo many times enough to be called 'Gwageo Challenge Record' and he recorded all memories on that day for Gwageo.
In the midst of this process, Yagok's critical voice against scholars' frivolous custom and corrupt appearance of the state examination site was recorded in his diary without any adjustments. In addition, Yagok left many contents featuring his frank confession to his blunders and self-reflection in his diary.
Yagok made efforts not to make such shameful act again later by frankly recording
even the disgraceful affairs enough to lose his face if others knew.
Looking into the contents of his diary, it is confirmed that his sentiment was mostly inclined to sorrows, and his sorrows are amply expressed, especially when he recorded the worries and sadness about his family members. Particularly, this study could confirm his sorrowful sentiment in his soliloquy blaming himself whenever he encountered negative circumstances around his family.
Based on the result of analysis of contents of Injaeilrok, this study made it clear that Injaeilrok is a diary having the value in terms of documentary literature history, together with its documentary value and authenticity.
There still remain countless numbers of diaries written during the Joseon Dynasty, but it's rare to find a diary like Injaeilrok which Yagok wrote systematically with interest in the recording method of a diary. It is judged that Injaeilrok is the result of Yagok's agony about how to record his own daily routine distinctively in the diary, and a crystal of Yagok's affection and concern for a diary.