조선후기 물명서의 편찬동기와 분류체계

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the motive for a compilation of a book for the names of objects in the late Choson Dynasty from the perspectives at the time, and review the features of the book for the names of objects by analyzing the classification system of a currently existing book for the names of objects. The fundamental purpose of the book is to let readers accurately recognize the target which the words indicate by matching the words and the objects which are indicated. Thus, editors of the book try to match the words and objects by presenting Korean words and different Chinese words corresponding to the original one. The book for the names of objects has been regarded as a kind of Chinese classical encyclopedias which provides detailed information on objects, but most of existing books just present the names of objects. It is natural to regard the book as a kind of a dictionary with the purpose to match words and objects. In addition, when the classification system of the book is reviewed, it is found to mainly deal with specific objects. It suggests that interests in objects which are relatively neglected compared to Sky, Land and Humans are being highlighted. It has been known that the books for the names of objects are influenced by the Chinese classical encyclopedias in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The classification system of the book dealing with specific objects rather than abstract concept seems to be influenced by medicinal herb books which provide a variety of information on objects.