조선후기 중앙관원의 제관 차첩 분석과 그 실태 연구

Abstract

Based on existing ancient documents, this study examines the appointment and actual status of central bureaucrats as ritual officials (jegwan) in the late Joseon Dynasty. This work focuses particularly on the documents issued by the Ministry of Personnel (Ijo, 吏曹) (Ministry) when appointing central bureaucrats as ritual officials. Furthermore, these are analyzed from the perspective of document form, document administration, and other paleographic aspects, along with the actual circumstances surrounding these appointments. The study derives the following conclusions: First, the documents issued by the Ministry were known as “Cha-cheop” (差帖). These documents were simplified, omitting the traditional format and focusing mainly on content. Only the essential information, such as the issuer, recipient, ritual date, ritual name, and the official position of the ritual officer, was recorded, with the official seal stamped. Second, the process of appointing central bureaucrats as ritual officials began when the Ministry of Personnel prepared a list of candidates for such positions as the ritual date approached and submitted it to the king. Once the king selected the ritual officials, the Ministry drafted the appointment documents and had them delivered to the appointees through lower-ranking officials. The recipients would then report for duty on the specified date, participate in a pledge and rehearsal, and remain cautious until the day of the ritual when they would perform their official duties. Third, the simplification of the appointment documents reflects central bureaucrats’ reluctance to be appointed as ritual officials during this period. As state rituals increased in the later Joseon Dynasty, frequent instances arose where officials refused the demanding duties of ritual officiation. To fill these vacancies urgently, the Ministry appointed replacements by issuing documents that recorded only the essential content, thus omitting the usual formalities.