임진왜란 포로의 일본 체험 실기 고찰

Abstract

Imjinwaeran (Japanese Invasion of the Joseon Dynasty between 1592 and 1598) devastated the soil of the Korean peninsula, and caused huge pain to a slew of people. Whatever the experience with Imjinwaeran might be, it must have been shocking and tragic, but POWs who were taken to Japan should have been more painful. They should survive in Japan, and return home. This study examined such records on the experience of Imjinwaeran POWs taken to Japan, as Gang Hang's Ganyangnok (Shepherding Sheep), No In's Geumgyeilgi (Diary of Peacock), and Jeong Hui-deuk's Wolbonghaesangnok (Moon Peak Sea). These three works concern Imjinwaeran and POWs' experience in Japan. The three authors, as POWs, experienced their lives in Japan. They were all literati hailing from the Honam region. In the second Japanese invasion of Joseon (the Year of the Rooster), they were captured and taken to Japan, and finally returned home in the similar period. Their works constitute precious historical materials, forming a particular group of works on POWs' overseas experience with each work having different characteristics and values. This paper examined the authors, their experience and travel to and in Japan, and the characteristics of the content of the works to identify each work's basic information, characteristics, and values. Gang Hang did not live a passive life as a POW, but positively explored Japan. This enabled him to write a wide range of information on Japan and schemes to govern Joseon in Ganyangnok. Gang Hang and Jeong Hui-deuk were able to return to Joseon under the permission of Japan, while No In took chance to escape for his life. That is why Geumgyeilgi detailed his escape. He escaped to China before going directly to Joseon, allowing him to experience his lives in three nations which were involved in Imjinwaeran. Of the three works, only his work describes a life in China. Jeong Hui-deuk described his experience with more emotional and tearful feelings. He described the journey course from his refuge from the war to his return home, making it the only work of the three works to feature the whole course relating to POWs' experience.