使遼詩에 나타난 북송 시인의 변경 의식

Abstract

The border consciousness reflected in the Liao Envoy Poems使遼詩 reveals the poets’ complex experiences and reflections during their diplomatic missions. These works depict the poets’ navigation and internalization of unfamiliar geographical and cultural landscapes, as they engaged with the distinctive environments of the northern Liao territories. The interplay of personal and collective consciousness is a prominent theme, showcasing how the act of crossing borders fostered a mutual awareness shaped by interactions and exchanges with others. The physical and emotional challenges posed by the harsh northern climates further amplified the poets’ sense of displacement, as they grappled with their roles as sojourners or “guests” in a foreign land. In addition to these personal and environmental challenges, the poems reflect the poets’ encounters with the cultural contrasts between the Liao and the Song. The exotic Liao cultures are often juxtaposed with the poets’ traditional Sino-barbarian worldview, revealing tensions between cultural respect and entrenched notions of superiority. This duality highlights the poets’ struggles to reconcile admiration for the diversity of Liao culture with their own cultural identity and pride. Together, these reflections in the Liao Envoy Poems provide profound insights into the dynamics of border-crossing, identity negotiation, and cultural introspection during the Northern Song period.