조선후기 求貿에 대한 조･일 양국의인식과 구무의 특징

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to understand the reality of bilateral negotiations between Joseon and Japan by considering the perspective of Gumu Trade in relation to Gumu Trade, which was neglected in previous studies on Joseon-Japan trade, and the specificity of Gumu Trade in East Asian trade. Gumu trade indicates a form of trade in which Tsushima island of Japan, commissioned by the Japanese Bakufu to establish and maintain diplomatic relations and trades with Joseon, asked Joseon for specific goods when unexpected needs arose in the province. The gumu trade was conducted irregularly, and there was no mutually agreed norm as to the type and quantity of goods for trading. In addition, performed in various modes of operation, the gumu trade was connected to public and private trades. Thus it illustrates special aspects of economic exchanges between Joseon and Japan in a time when diplomacy and trade were not separated. Basically, Gumu trade was based on Tsushima’s poor economic situation and economic needs. However, the diplomatic and political weight was also in a big position. In other words, Tsushima’s request for gumu trade would basically originate from the needs within Tsushima, but such a need could not be overlooked in terms of the Bakuhu bargaining for the preservation of the Tsushima-hanshu. Tsushima used gumu trade to provide its own daily necessities, but it also used these items for bargaining with the Bakuhu. Tsushima-hanshu raised his status by emphasizing that he was the only entity capable of trade with Joseon in the Bakuhu, while also occupying an advantage in trade with Joseon. After the resumption of diplomatic relations, the Joseon Dynasty had to lead a smooth relationship with the Japanese Bakuhu. To this end, it was necessary to strengthen and defend Tsushima’s position, which served as an intermediary between the two countries’ relations, while effectively controlling it. As one of such means, it seems that Joseon allowed various exchanges of goods through gumu trade. On the other hand, most of the cases of gumu trade requested the trade of the goods from the Joseon side in response to unexpected needs from Tsushima. However, such a need or trade is not always one-sided, so although there are relatively few cases, it was also possible to confirm the case of trade by requesting goods from Tsushima when necessary in Joseon. In addition, compared with the case of other East Asian countries, which had more diverse relations with foreign countries than Joseon, there were few cases in which trade was made through a separate request from the government to the government, such as gumu trade. In this way, it can be said that gumu trade was formed within a very special relationship connecting Joseon and Tsushima, showing the characteristics of the relationship between Joseon and Japan at the time.