庚寅通信使(1590)의 文化使節로서의 성격

Abstract

This article examines the characteristics of Gyeongintongsinsa(1590) as a cultural delegation by focusing on the background of its dispatch, the journey of the envoys, and the concrete aspects of their cultural exchanges. First of all, the article investigates the background of the dispatch and the envoys’ journey as well. To celebrate the national unification by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and form good relations with neighboring countries, Gyeongintongsinsa consist of more than 300 members departed from Seoul on March 5 and arrived in Kyoto on July 22, 1590. After delivering the national document on November 7, it came back at the end of February next year with the completion of their mission. Although the destination of the journey was Kyoto, not Edo, its journey was almost the same as Tongsinsa’s ‘Seoul-to-Kyoto round journey' in the late Choseon Dynasty. Next, various aspects of its cultural exchanges were investigated. Above all, literature was mainly exchanged with monks by communicating in writing and exchanging poems. In particular, Jong Sun had a chance to change from a monk to a Confucian scholar through the exchanges with Heo Seong. And paintings and calligraphic works were exchanged mainly through Sajagwan Lee Hae Ryong’s remarkable activities and also criticism on the paintings that Tsushima Hansyu possessed. For music, court musicians did throw performances at a formal banquet or upon Japanese’ request. Also, military officials showed ‘masangmuye'―several feats performed during horseback riding―to the Japanese people. And for the infectious diseases they got to suffer while playing an envoy’s roles, there was cooperative treatment for the representatives of both countries, and with the mediation of Daemyeongiltongji, they exchanged the customs of both nations as well. Therefore, it can be safely said that Gyeongintongsinsa have enough characteristics as a delegation for cultural exchanges which was second only to Tongsinsa in the late Choseon Dynasty.