중국으로 간 공녀(貢女)의 음악활동 양상

Abstract

The term kongnyŏ 貢女 was first used during the period of China's Yüan 元 Dynasty. It was originated from a custom to offer women as a tribute, which is one of the conciliatory measures frequently used in the old days to prevent invasion of foreign enemies and war. In 1231, Mongolia invaded Koryŏ 高麗 and Koryŏ offered 500 boys and girls under the condition of surrender. This marked the beginning of the custom of kongnyŏ offering in the Korean peninsula. Studies on kongnyŏ have so far been focusing mostly on the aspects of politics and diplomacy at the time together with the kongnyŏ system and the lives of kongnyŏ. As a result, questions have been raised as to how kongnyŏ lived in China and what kinds of musical activities they performed. Unfortunately, absolutely no studies have been conducted on these subjects. kongnyŏ strained their every nerve to survive in the Chinese royal court and high society by making use of their beautiful looks and various talents. For this, their artistic abilities must have played a part to a degree. This is sufficiently demonstrated by the story of Hyŏnbi 賢妃 (royal concubine) Kwŏn ssi 權氏. Therefore, this study focused on examining musical activities performed by kongnyŏ, which had not been properly studied so far, especially in China. To fulfill this goal, records on musical activities of kongnyŏ were examined first together with the aspect of musical activities performed by kongnyŏ sent to China. In addition, the impact kongnyŏ's musical activities had exerted on China were explained.