17세기 후반 조선의 禁蔘 정책과 대일 인삼 무역

Abstract

This article analyzes the background of the Joseon government's ban on ginseng exports to Japan in the late 17th century and how it was terminated. Through this, the characteristics of Joseon-Japan relations at that time were considered in terms of diplomacy and economy. At the end of the 17th century, Joseon banned ginseng exports because of the Samdogu incident in which cross-border of the ginseng diggers turned into a diplomatic issue with the Qing Dynasty in 1685. In order to prevent recurrence, Joseon prohibited the collection of ginseng from the north and distribution of ginseng from the north and south. At that time, due to the increased demand in Japan, the ginseng trade in Waegwan was active. However, around this time, when ginseng trading was banned, black trading began to flourish in Waegwan. Moreover, an investigation by the Joseon court revealed that the Tsushima Domain was involved in the smuggling of ginseng. In response, Joseon dispatched Munwihaeng to formally protest the smuggling issue in the name of consoling the return of the Tsushima Domain. The Tsushima Domain also planned to petition the Joseon court for the resumption of ginseng trade through the mediation of Munwihaeng, so envoys were dispatched. However, in the end, the purpose of both sides was not achieved by the dispatch of Munwihaeng. Therefore, Hirata Shojaemon, an envoy from Tsushima Domain, stayed at Waegwan for an unusual four-year stay and petitioned for the resumption of ginseng trade. At the same time, Waegwan also operated smuggling trade through the mediation of interpreter. Around this time, it was argued within the Joseon government that the ban on ginseng trade should be eased because it was the root cause of the smuggling trade. Eventually, in 1692, ginseng exports to Japan were restored when the Joseon government ordered the ban on ginseng exports to be withdrawn.