조선시대 녹피 생산과 활용 연구

Abstract

Deerskin(鹿皮) is one of various hides used during the Joseon dynasty. It is possible to understand the state of deerskin tribute over the country in the early Joseon dynasty, from 『Sejongsilrokjirigi』. At that time, it was the rule thar deer should be hunted by using military power, but it was not adequately observed. It is also possible to understand the state of deerskin tribute during the late Joseon dynasty, from 『Yeojidoseo』 and 『Gaksadeungnok』. In those days, tributary payments could be made across the country, but also the central government had various ways to acquire deerskin. The deerskin was most often used for clothes. People usually wore upper clothes in the form of Jeogori (a Korean-style jacket) and the deerskin was used to make leather armors and used as strings. It was also used as a useful material for leather shoes and often used to decorate weapons, and deerskin ornaments could not be easily acquired by commoners. The deerskin used across the whole period of Joseon dynasty appeared in its foreign relations. Joseon's attitudes in transmitting deerskin to the Ming dynasty were varied, depending on the positions of kings, and it was also used as an instrument to show Jurchen tribes that the Joseon dynasty was a superior country. It should be also included in the annual tributes and fancy goods to be sent to the Qing dynasty. It was, however, rarely traded with Japan, because Japan could directly produce and process it into products and moreover, Japan's feudal government did not need it. The deerskin, therefore, rarely appeared in the relationship with Japan and Tongsinsa also brought deerskin less than other hides to it after the Imjin War. The deer was a wild animal that could be acquired across the country. Hence, it was not the hide that could be used to show one's wealth and was not useful for human life. In addition, the deer, one of ten longevity symbols, symbolized both longevity and eternal life. The deerskin was suitable for making all kinds of items, due to such characteristics, and it may seem to function as a daily item which Yangban can usually use.