栗亭 朴瑞生의 학문적 연원과 세종대 水車 도입론

Abstract

The purpose of this study focused on Park Seosaeng’s academic foundation and introduction of a water wheel. Park Seosaeng was a scholar affiliated a governmental agency during the days of King Taejong and Seijong. The Joseon Dynasty built in 1392 was an unprecedented planned country. After the power group at the founding of the Dynasty established a confucian bureaucratic country, the group tried to realized their political ideals through Neo-confucianism. As a result, the Joseon Dynasty was in a prosperous condition in the 15th century, which is currently called as“untimely prosperity” Park Seosaeng performed an important role for establishing of a new dynasty during the days of King Taejong and Seijong. Park Seosaeng, a disciple of Giljae(吉再), was from Bian-hyun in Sangju. Park had pushed ahead with national wellbeing and stabilization through the introduction of advanced agricultural technology from China and Japan. Although Park had different academic background unlike founding contributors of the Joseon Dynasty, he was an active Confucian scholar who had attempted diverse solutions for national wellbeing and stabilization. His hometown was both Bian and Seonsan on record. However, it was highly possible that his hometown was Bian and he had a certain job in Seonsan. Park’s important role in the Joseon Dynasty had started from the 11th year under King Seijong when he was returned as envoy from Japan. Park had active interests on agricultural technology, particularly a water wheel. At that time the Joseon dynasty tried to extend advanced agricultural technology of Kyoungsaeng-do area into underdeveloped areas by compiling a book of agricultural description, ‘Nongeobjikseol’, in 1429 of King Seojong 11th year. However, the book did not present agricultural methods of rice-field which had been widely diffused in Kyoungsaeng-do area. Therefore, Park Seosaeng suggested the dissemination of water wheels that he had found in Japan then. The methods of water wheel production that Park had suggested was really specific. He proposed two methods. One method was to move a water wheel by accelerating water speed from the upper region of a river. The other method was that people raised water by putting down pedals. Since his technique of water wheel production had ended in failure at first because of technicians’ inattention, Park leaded the delicate process of water wheel production with student, Kim Sin. Park’s introduction of a water wheel was a way to promote national wellbeing and stabilization. His effort to stabilize people’s living support was ways to practice his academic principles that Park had learned from his teacher, Giljae.