18세기 耆老 모임 ‘驪江耆會’ 小考

Abstract

This study aims to examine the characteristics of the poems composed by the Yeogang Elderly Meeting and the works and consciousness of the literati in their age, whose works had not been introduced yet at that time. The Yeogang Elderly Meeting(驪江耆會) was a literary group organized in 1753 by Kim Jin-sang (1684~1755), Lee Gi-jin(1687~1755), Lee Gyu-jin(1688~1760), Min Wu-su(1696~ 1756) and others, who lived in the Yeoju area. The Yeogang Elderly Meeting, which was organized to celebrate Kim Jin- sang’s entering Giroso(a government office for the friendship and courtesy of high-ranking senior officials; 耆老所), was modeled in emulation of Nakyang Giyeonghoe(洛陽耆英會), where Wen Yanbo(文彦博) of the Song dynasty threw a feast at Fu Bi(富弼). However, the Yeogang Elderly Meeting took advantage of the topographical characteristics of Yeoju located along the Namhan River, and members traveled by boat when visiting each house, which is a differentiated feature. The works composed by the Yeogang Elderly Meeting, like those of a group utilizing the geographical features of the Yeo River(驪江), reveals the taste of those who enjoy boat cruises. In particular, the space where the meeting was held was emphasized, which is a feature distinct from other meetings for the elderly(耆老). This fact reveals that the four literati regarded the Yeogang Elderly Meeting as an aesthetic group(雅會), using it as a space(場) for sharing the excitement felt in traveling around Yeoju. Also, the four literati expressed their expectation that the Yeogang Elderly Meeting would be remembered even by the future generations as in the case of Nagyang Giyeonghoe. Such expectation is never found in the works composed by other senior groups in Yeoju. Through this, it can be seen that the Yeogang Elderly Meeting also motivated these four literati to continuously cultivate themselves so as to preserve their reputation and virtue(名德) even in their old age. The mood and poetry of the four literati demonstrate characteristics brought about by the consensus of those who face the experience of old age in Yeoju, a space of retreat, and it seems that their attitude as literati was manifested in their desire to lead a more leisurely and positive life in old age.