조선통신사와 류큐사절단의 筆談(對談) -아라이 하쿠세키(新井白石)를 중심으로-

Abstract

This article was written to investigate Tongshinsa in 1711 (the year of Shinmyo(辛卯)) more objectively. To do so, comparison was made with Ryukyu diplomatic delegation, which was a third power, taken place during the contemporary period. Gang-gwan-pil-dam, which is the compilation of the conversations by writing exchanged between Joseon Tongshinsa and Arai Hakyuseki (1657-1725), who was a consul of Japan´s feudal government in early 18thcentury, and Baek Suk Sun Sang Ryu In Mun Dae that is the conversations by writing of Ryukyu diplomatic delegation, were used as the main text for the study. Arai Hakyuseki contacted Josoen Tongshinsa in 1682 and 1711. Gang-gwan- pil-dam is the compilation of the conversations that he made with Samsa(三使) from Joseon. Baek Suk Sun Sang Ryu In Mun Dae seems to be a record on the conversations exchanged between Arai Hakyuseki and Ryukyu diplomatic delegation in 1710 and 1714. During this period, Arai Hakyuseki was the leading character in the administration of Japan’s feudal government. He exchanged discourses to his position. Gang-gwan-pil-dam shows mutual affinity and jokes as well as connotes the ostentation and check on each country exchanged between Arai Hakyuseki and Joseon Tongshinsa. It seems that the both parties had exchanges conversations in equal footing, displaying knowledge that they had accumulated. On the other hand, Baek Suk Sun Sang Ryu In Mun Dae consists of the one-sided questions of Arai Hakyuseki and the answers of Ryukyu counterpart. It seems that when he met Ryukyu counterpart, Arai Hakyuseki had asked questions out of the question list he prepared while learning the knowledge of Ryukyu. It was a rare opportunity for Arai Hakyuseki to obtain information through Ryukyu. What was found from the two texts is the interest Arai Hakyuseki had in ‘China’. However, he used quite different ways to express. In Baek Suk Sun Sang Ryu In Mun Dae, Arai Hakyuseki appears to reveal his curiosity, tossing questions to Ryukyu counterpart about China several times. In the meantime, Gang-gwan-pil-dam shows that he had focused on expressing his knowledge in China, quoting Chinese literature. It can be regarded as part of ‘Showing-Off Diplomacy’, hiding his curiosity about China and showing that Japan supports Chinese system. In the hidden lines, he showed a check on Joseon and effort to stand on equal footing with Joseon.