조선전기 일본인의 向化와 정착

Abstract

The naturalization of the Japanese in the early Joseon dynasty occurred from some counter plans of the government for Japanese pirates or their hard living such as the shortage of land and foods. Especially there were many surrendered pirates among the naturalized Japanese in the early times. Afterwards Japanese naturalization was expanded to the detained, captives, the naturalized of one’s own accord because of difficult living conditions, envoys from Tsushima, escorts to dispatch drifters, monks, and the Japanese residing in the three ports. However, since 1444, the number of the naturalized Japanese had decreased sharply due to the fact that, the Joseon government began to give office to the people living in Japan. In order to prevent the grouping of the naturalized Japanese, the government forced them to divide into inland mountains far away from the beach to prepare for emergencies. Joseon also prohibited the Japanese from going outside and prevented them from traveling and communicating privately. In the early Joseon period, the basic policy of the government for the naturalized Japanese was not to stop them going or not to refuse to come. Therefore, some of the local residents returned to Japan. However, because of the leak of information, the government did not return those who knew the status and reality of the mountain by visiting various parts of the country for many years, such as the naturalized monks Shinok and Solmyong. The Joseon government distributed the naturalized Japanese, who did not receive the government’s office, to each province, and gave them food, land, clothing, and houses. And they were exempted from taxation, compulsory labor, and military service for a certain period so that they could settle quickly in Joseon. On the other hand, some Japanese received preferential treatment from the government. The people who had been a head of Japanese pirates or had the skills of medicine, smelting, etc., got official positions from the government and were allowed to reside in Seoul. And they were given salaries, clothes, houses, and slaves, corresponding to their offices, and some received their surnames, names, and places of origin. And the naturalized Japanese who committed the crime were punished according to the laws of the Joseon Dynasty, but lightly penalized by applying the decrees decreasing punishment. Despite the preferential treatment of the government, it seems that the naturalized Japanese and their descendants could not settle down in the Joseon society. The reasons can be estimated as follows. First, the Japanese were interested in fishing or commerce because many of them were from Tsushima Island, but were not accustomed to farming. The second is the difference in language, culture and customs between Japan and Korea. Third, Joseon people regarded Japan as a deadly enemy after the Japanese invasion in 1592. Fourth, as the genealogy began to spread widely after the middle of Joseon Dynasty and the consanguineous villages were formed, the perception of lineage and clan was expanded. Because of this background, it is presumed that the naturalized Japanese could not adapt well to the society of Joseon, or they would have lived with their identity hidden.