17-18세기 조선의 鍼, 그 종류와 형태

Abstract

In this study, I examine the types and forms of acupuncture needles used from the late chosŏn period. My research is based on historical records that range from the 17th through 18th centuries. The books on medicine published at the kingdom’s center had limitations, in that they failed to provide a specific description of contemporary therapeutic skills. Therefore, this study had to rely on the limited amount of records left behind by Japanese medical doctors who wrote their conversations down with Korean diplomats and the men of letters who kept track of the activities of Korean medical doctors. Fortunately, such historical records provide an idea about the types and forms of the acupuncture needles used during those times. Acupuncture needles in those days were either with or without a blade. The former, which was usually used for acupuncturing the meridian, was called Wŏnch'im (‘round needle’), and the same group included Kyŏngnakch'im (‘meridian needle’) and Wŏllich'im that were shorter and thinner. The representative needles of the latter group were Chongch'im(‘abscess needle’), which was used to make skin incisions for the purpose of treating boils, and Samnŭngch'im, which was used to make cuts in skin for the purpose of bloodletting. The category of Chongch'im included baso, while inhuch'im was a special instance of Samnŭngch'im. Notably, the doctors who operated in chosŏn during the 17th and 18th centuries were not so interested in Kuch'im, which was described as the ideal acupuncture needle in Huangdi Neijing(The Emperor's Inner Canon), an old classic in East Asian traditional medicine. While it is possible that terms like Wŏnch'im and Wŏllich'im derived from Kuch'im(‘the nine needles’), they were used in a totally different context than Kuch'im. Hoch'im was especially preferred as one of ‘the nine needles’ and was in popular use in Japan, but it was never used to refer to an acupuncture needle in chosŏn. So, to understand the acupuncture needles of chosŏn during the 17th and 18th century, discussion must develop unfettered by ‘the nine needles’. As the study takes as its historical materials the records on the old acupuncture needles as viewed by the contemporary people, it can clearly show how types of acupuncture needles were perceived by ancient therapy practitioners. Also, as the records accepted the descriptions reflecting their view, they may appear different in our eyes. Therefore, more light needs to be shed on what kind of acupuncture needles were used in the late chosŏn period, through collecting and examining remaining artifacts. I look forward to further studies.