조선과 일본의 銀 유통 교섭(1697~1711)

Abstract

The circulation of East Asian silver exhibited important changes in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. In particular, a revaluation of Japanese silver occurred at a time of friction between Choson Korea and Japan over the Korean island of Ullung (then called Takeshima in Japan) caused tension in the trade relations between the two countries. The Edo bakufu in Japan introduced a new silver currency in 1695. This new currency replaced the Keicho silver, which was 80% silver and had been in circulation for nearly 100 years. The new Genroku silver currency was of 64% purity. That is, one piece was 64% silver and 36% other materials. Thereafter, the Japanese government frequently revalued its silver currency, and the Tsushima domain informed the Choson government each time this happened. This announcement was a condition of Tsushima's trade relationship with Choson. Clarification of the Korean state's responses to the devaluation of Japanese silver will greatly enhance our understanding of the circulation of silver in East Asia. Because the Choson government used silver imported from Japan as a means for purchasing goods in Qing China, the revaluation of silver in Japan was an issue of great importance for the Korean government. By understanding how the Choson government dealt with the Edo bakufu's several revaluations of silver, we will better grasp the silver trade between Choson Korea and Japan, and silver's usage in the wider East Asian area where it circulated as a means of payment..