해주 남붕의 일기자료를 통해 본 일제강점기 유교 지식인의 시대인식과 현실대응

Abstract

This paper revealed the timely spirit and response to reality of Confucian intellectuals in the Japanese colonial period by examining how noble Confucian scholars played the role of intellectuals and what sociocultural activities they engaged in through diaries of Haeju Nambung. Nambung kept detailed records of his everyday life, explaining that “Diaries can be used as evidence.” In addition, because he not only wrote diaries but also corrected them afterwards, he perceived diaries as official records to express the facts and his opinions. Social activities and timely response of Nambung shown in his diaries suggest that he actively exchanged letters. He tried to practice his meanings through letters, which relied heavily on the new postal system implemented in the Japanese colonial period. In particular, he used letters as a medium to keep company with classical scholars of Korea and China. Also, he had the initiative to send letters to unknown individuals, so long as they agreed with his ideals and beliefs. He practiced Confucian studies while transcending the academic geneal ogy, acquaintances, families, and lineage. Haeju Nambung is a person who actively pursued external practice while implementing his thoughts in the daily life during the Japanese colonial period or late Joseon period known as a period of upheaval. However, he did not show significant outcomes despite various active attempts and ended up settling for the conventional methods of Confucian scholars. A new light can be shed on Nambung as he tried to overcome limitations as a classical scholar in the countryside.