溪南 崔琡民의 紀行詩

Abstract

Gyenam Choi Suk-min was one of the representative figures of the Nosahakpa in Gyeongsangwoodo, engaging in activities mainly in Hadong Okjong,Gyeongsang Province in late Joseon. He never went into government service and fulfilled his academic achievements through academic study and traveling in Okjong where he had principal residence and in its neighboring areas. This study presents an investigation into his travel poetry. A look at the places he traveled tells that he thoroughly visited scenic spots in all directions of Hadong. His travel encompassed distant Mt. Sokri and Cheonma, Mt. Samgak, and farther Hanyang let alone Sancheong, Jinju,Hamyang, Geochang, Hapcheon, Namhae, and Gurye. He even traveled to Mt. Geumgang past Songdo. He wrote a poem every place he traveled. His travel poetry clearly presents his pride in local scenic spots as a Gangwoo scholar and his respect and admiration for ancient sages. He used his poetry to introduce scenic spots in the neighboring areas he visited several times to the world, tried to leave unknown relics in records through detailed notes, and wrote poems about the lives and lifestyles of the ancient sages he met on the course of traveling to exhibit his respect and admiration for them and find a compass in them for his contemporary times. In addition, he demonstrated his academic flexibility, which transcended the partisan and academic connections that were prevalent in the Gangwoo region in late Joseon, in his travel poems by pursuing academic study and exchange with the literary figures of completely different tendencies from him while traveling scenic spots in the neighboring areas and distant ones. His journeys presenting diverse worlds can be ultimately understood in line with his academic process instead of mere sightseeing of mountains and waters. Nature including mountains and waters was the place where he pursued his academic study and truth. Thus it is safe to say that his travel poems are important materials with which to place his academic tendency and status as a Gangwoo scholar in late Joseon in history.