문명사적 관점에서 본 지리산권 인식의 변화

Abstract

Jirisan mountain has long been the subject of philological study for the Center for the Jirisan Cultural Studies at Suncheon University, ever since it was designated as a national park. This study will attempt to trace the course of change in perception of the Jirisan mountain on the minds of the local people to whom it gradually transformed from the cognition of its foothills to the inclusion of the whole mountain region with its highest peaks. And we shall further investigate the efficacy of the said mountain at different times. To local inhabitants a mountain serves, at once, as a refuge, a provider of farming necessities, a food bank during a famine, a hide-out during tumultuous times, a place to discipline one's mind, a place where a tutelary deity resides to protect their family, and a place affording great pleasure from hiking. This study examines, as yet, insufficient elements from the standpoint of philological history through further delving into the origin of names. The very first written form appeared to be "Jirisan(地理山)" and this was recorded as "Jiyisan(知異山)" during the age of the clans at the end of Shilla and early Goryeo dynasty. The writer would have pronounced it as "Ji-yi-san," but this did not change the way local inhabitants pronounced it. Even during the Goryeo dynasty "地理山" was in use. However, at the end of the Goryeo dynasty "知異山" turned up again along with aliases like "Duryusan" and "Bangjangsan." From then on, written form of Jirisan would stay as "知異山" with "地理山" making an exit. Nevertheless, it would still be pronounced "Jirisan" while chinese character of the word suggests otherwise. This indicates that the name given by the local inhabitants have survived though the years. Korean civilization has undergone substantial changes with the introduction of iron and the Western civilization. Before iron was introduced, animism had been the dominant belief. With its introduction, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism were accepted and they began to evolve under reciprocal exchanges of competition and compromise. Animism had begotten the name "Cheonwangbong," where "Cheonshinje(Offering to the Heavens)" was held. The influence of Buddhism gave rise to historic temples, beautiful engravings and stupas. And these in turn prompted the change of the written form "Jirisan" into "Ji-yi-san(智異山)." Furthermore, the influence of Taoism, after the martial rule during the Goryeo dynasty, brought about aliases such as "Duryusan," and "Bangjangsan."At the advent of modern era, "Jirisan" began to be conceived as a streak of mountain range from hitherto being considered as a mere dot on the map as a part of counties and prefectures. This change in perception owes much to Shin Gyeong Jun's master work "Sansugo(山水考)." When the Western civilization was introduced, animism began to be eschewed. However, its embers still flicker inside the hearts and minds of the Korean people. Animism has long served as the foundation for historical legacy in Eastern civilization where heaven, earth and man exist in harmony. Our modern civilization in the 21st century, standing on the verge of destruction due to overreliance on science and technology, might do well to seek guidance from the past on ways to treat our common ailment. For Jirisan to remain not only as the most celebrated mountain in Korea, but for it to be considered likewise to the rest of the world, the overall conception of Jirisan needs to be extended beyond mountains and rivers. This also calls for considerable commitment from the local inhabitants. To look after Jirisan region is the surest way to create new history.