1720년 李頤命・李器之 부자의 연행과 北學의 성격

Abstract

Yi Yimyeong (李頤命) and his son Yi Gizi (李器之) observed the Qing Dynasty culture from a practical perspective during their diplomatic travels in 1720, and they embraced Western equipment positively. They can be evaluated as the pioneer of the Northern Study school in the late 18th century. This article examined specific examples of the Northern Study (北學) in the book Yilamyeongi (一庵燕記) from this perspective. Before their travel, Yi Yimyeong, who had written “Jeonhangsik (甎炕式)” that describes the installation method of a brick ondol (a traditional Korean heating system), planned to import tung oil (桐油) for shipbuilding and pigments used for colored ceramics to Joseon. His son, Yi Gizi had a positive view of Manchu (滿洲族), compared to Han Chinese (漢 族) and actively interacted with Western missionaries. Inspired by the realistic portrayal techniques in Western paintings in Cheonjudang and “Dongsikmuldogam” (a catalogue of animals and plants), he attempted to draw medicinal herbs contained in the Bonchogangmok (本草綱目) he had purchased in Beijing using the Western-style delicate painting. He also had great interest in various Western equipment, including armillary sphere (渾天儀) and fire extinguisher, and made detailed records of them. The father and son actively embraced advanced culture regardless of its orgins whether it was from China or the West during their travels in order to improve the backwardness of Joseon. While the 18th-century Northern Study School focused on accepting the study and technology of Qing Dynasty, Yi Gizi sought to actively embrace both the Qing culture and Western civilization as well as advanced technology with an open-minded attitude. This is a point where we can find a unique aspect of Northern Study that Yi Gizi possessed.