洪自誠의 정체와 『菜根譚』의 주제의식―徽州 商人과 연관하여―

Abstract

This study newly examined the birthplace and teacher of Hong Zicheng, a writer of aphorisms in the late Ming dynasty, and revisited the theme of Caigentan. This study overturned the long-established theory that Hong Zicheng was from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and was a student of Yangshen. Instead, this study posited that he was from a family of wealthy salt merchants based in Shexian Country, Huizhou in Anhui Province and that he was a student of Wang Daokun, a well-known writer who was also from a salt merchant family in the same region. This study showed that Hong Zicheng was an intellectual with the consciousness of Huizhou merchants, who comprised the largest merchant group in the late Ming dynasty. This study further found that Hong Zicheng was active in the academic, personal, and regional circles of Wang Daokun, who was an intellectual leader of the region. By analyzing the first half and latter half volumes of the first edition of Caigentan, this study identified that the book reflected the business culture and regional atmosphere of the Huizhou merchants, who created a flourishing commercial culture. This paper further interpreted that the merchants’ business culture, interpersonal relationships, and leadership experience were naturally found in the book. Compared to other books of aphorisms, Caigentan does not strongly display the reasoning for escaping reality and living in seclusion, as is the case for many books of aphorisms. Instead, the book understands reality as being entangled with glory and shame, right and wrong, and personal interests, and its outlook towards life is positive as the book defines the true face of life as the attitude to actively overcome difficulties and live in reality. This study concluded that Caigentan unintentionally reflected the reality the merchants faced during the period by emphasizing the harsh reality, interpersonal relations, and public sentiment and presenting ways to stay vigilant and endure and survive in the world. The findings of this study would provide an opportunity to view Hong Zicheng and Caigentan in a whole new light.