朝鮮後期 通信使를 수행한 譯官의 구성과 역할-掌務官과 乾粮官을 중심으로-

Abstract

While the delegation had stayed in Japan, the main role of the translators was translating between the Chosun people and Japanese. Inaddition, since they were the most knowledgeable among the Chosun people about the Japanese society and people, they played a role as diplomats, discussing with Japanese with respect to several pending issues. As exemplified by Hong Setae and Lee Eunjin, there were many instances that they acted as writers who leftliterary works and made exchanges with Japanese. This paper examined the activities of the translators with the focus on Jangmugwan and Geollyanggwan, which were not much known until now, as part of the mission of the delegation. According to the related materials, they were selected from the translators, of whom 1 Jangmugwan(掌務官) and 2~3 Geollyanggwan(乾粮官) were appointed from the entire delegation. Jangmugwan, as it literally means, had various roles as a ‘position taking charge of tasks.’ Even before leaving for Japan, they were involved in such tasks as preparing gifts, checking all the items they would bring, and carrying a royal letter. The activities of Jangmugwan revealed not only the diverse roles played by thetranslators, but also what the delegation prepared before the departure and what kind of procedures or rituals were taken. The members of the delegation belonged to the leader, deputy leader, or Jongsagwan, and were divided into three different groups accordingly. Geollyanggwan also were assigned to three separate envoys and divided into the different delegation ships. In summary, Geollyanggwan was responsible for the management of the Geollyangso(乾粮所), installed in the delegation ships. Therefore, the Geollyanggwan was closely associated with the dietary life for the delegation, including the management of the food bringing from Chosun, and the distribution of the food during their stay in Japan. In addition, since they made frequent contacts with their Japanese counterparts concerning the demand and supply of food while they had stayed in Japan, the Geollyanggwan were appointed as translators. Through the investigation on the positions of Jangmugwan and Geollyanggwan, the role of the translators who accompanied the delegation to Japan could beidentified for the first time.