조선초기 대마도의 向化倭人 平道全

Abstract

This paper is to examine the activities of Pyeong Dojeon, who was naturalized to the early Joseon dynasty as an official of the Tsushima Island. He was naturalized to Joseon around the time from July 1407 to March 1410. His naturalization was unusual because it was led by SoSadashige, the ruler of the Tsushima Island. So’s aim was to maintain friendly relations with Joseon for the restoration of the old territory at Chikuzenshu, Kyushu, and for a firm grip on the Island. On the other hand, the Joseon dynasty wanted to keep friendship with the Island to stop plundering of Japanese pirates in every place on the coast, then designated Pyeong Dojeon to a government office on So’s request. Pyeong had been actively engaged in a variety of diplomatic fields from 1407 to the brink of the year 1419 when King Sejong ordered Lee Jongmu to attack the Island. Pyeong was dispatched to the Island as a foreign envoy. His diplomatic activities there involved the deliveries of presents, the appeasement, the endowment of rice, and the request of the embargo on the plunder of Japanese marauders. He also spied on the movements of Japanese pirates, and reported them to the dynasty. He joined operations to fight against Japanese pirates in the dynasty. And he responded to the government’s request for advice when dispatched envoys was worried about the safety of sea routes, while he tried to seek profit in favor of the Island by conveying its demands. He also built Japanese-style boats, and measured the speed in comparison with Korean-style boats, so contributed to the development of the shipbuilding of the dynasty. In short, Pyeong Dojeon was an official of Joseon who was naturalized to the dynasty and participated in the activities to suppress the Japanese pirates and worked as an envoy to Japan. But he also served as a bridge linking Joseon and the Tsushima Island by conveying the demands of the Island or representing its interest. Therefore it could be estimated that Pyeong served to both Joseon and Japan at the same time, and that he tried to maintain friendly relations between Joseon and the Island by leveraging his delicate position.