淸陰 金尙憲 碑誌文 小考

Abstract

This paper dealt with the epitaphs or “Bijimun” written by Kim Sang-heon (pen name: Cheong Eum). Although they occupy a fairly large part of his literary collection, there has been no research on them. Through Bijimun, the living can remember the figure and deeds of the dead in his lifetime. The epitaphs written by Cheong Eum are similar to those of Han Yu, one of eight greatest prose masters of Tang and Song dynasty of ancient China, in that he used the same expression techniques and quoted the passages intactly. He used a dialogical style or inserted anecdotes, although this may not be the case for some epitaphs, so then the atmosphere of his epitaph is to be lyric without creating a heavy atmosphere, which can be felt in the Chinese history book such as “Sagi”. Cheong Eum wrote the epitaph in a strictly fair manner. Despite somewhat close relationship with the requester, he hadn’t complied with the demand of the requester, but written the activities of the deceased keeping objective and strictly impartial position. Apart from the close or estranged relationship with the deceased, Cheong Eum had described their loyalty based on the facts to reveal the deceased’s faithful behavior clearly. Furthermore, Cheong Eum had used very careful and sincere yet euphemistic expressions.