조선시대 점복맹인의 신분문제에 대한 비판적 논의

Abstract

This paper aims to review the previous research on the status of Jeombokmaengin (점복맹인) in Joseon Dynasty, and indicate the desired direction on relative discussion. Jeombokmaengin is fortune-teller who is blind. In the previous studies, it is claimed that Jeombokmaengin was degraded to the lowest class in late Goryeo, early Joseon Dynasty, and by virtue of Shin, Gyeong Dal(신경달) recovered the position in Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. In order to check on claims of previous studies, this paper examined the facts based on the information such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty(조선왕조실록), Gyeonggukdaejeon(경국대전), Taejonhoetong(대전회통), etc. The basis of the claim that Jeombokmaengin was degraded to the lowest class in late Goryeo, early Joseon Dynasty was able to confirm through other sources, but the provision which has been applied over the Joseon Dynasty was not confirmed. The rationale of the claim that recovered the position in Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592 not been confirmed in any of the other data, so the claim lacks credibility. Rather if you look at the Code of Joseon Dynasty, you can see there are the common people (양인) in Jeombokmaengin, the provisions in consideration for the visually impaired are also present. Therefore, the previous research on the status of Jeombokmaengin(점복맹인) in Joseon Dynasty urges to reconsider.