韓國 古文獻 所載 ‘徐福 記錄’ 연구

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate articles about ‘Sŏbok(徐福)’ in Korean ancient anthologies written in classical Chinese. A total of 138 articles were found from 57 anthologies, which included a wide range of works from Kounjip(『孤雲集』) by Ch’oe Ch’i-wŏn(崔致遠) who lived in the unified Silla dynasty, to Unyangjip(『雲養集』) by Kim Yun-sik(金允植) who lived in the late Chosŏn dynasty. Through the periods from the Three kingdoms era to Unified Silla kingdom, our ancestors had already been aware of the existence of Sŏbok, moreover the fact that he crossed to the east. During the late Koryŏ Dynasty, the news that Sŏboksa(徐福祠) had been in Japan was first reported, and by this report our ancestor perceived that Sŏbok settled down there. During the early days of Chosŏn Dynasty, it was known that Sŏbok arrived at Kiiju(紀伊州) in Japan, Sŏboksa was located at Kumanoyama(熊野山), and they also deified Sŏbok as kwŏnhyŏnsushin(權現守神, a deified mortal). From 41 anthologies made in late Chosŏn Dynasty, almost 100 articles about Sŏbok were discovered. 41 anthologies were written by the diplomatic mission who had been to Japan directly or one of the encyclopedia of Sirhak(實學). At that time, to ascertain historical truth such as whether the origin of academics of Japan is Sŏbok, or Wang in(王仁) of Paekche was prevalent. Moreover, it was also important issues that the authenticity of ‘Sŏbok- Waegukpon-Komunsangsŏ’(徐福倭國本古文尙書) and whether Sŏbok and Hanjong(韓終) can be considered as a progenitor of Japan and the Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea respectively. In those days, through these studies, Sŏbok had been subjected to historical consideration not as a mythical character, but as a historical character. This study focus on exploration and analysis of written records about Sŏbok in Korean ancient writings, to break through the current state, lack of research about Sŏbok. And also tried to trace the change of attitude how Sŏbok was recognized, and what the transition was like chronologically. Consequently, we could see that our ancestors in Chosŏn dynasty had have profound knowledge of Sŏbok than we expected, and had shed light on Sŏbok with evolving perspective. He is not just a mythical character anymore only mentioned in traditional verse in reference to Pulsach'o(不死草, herbs of immortality). Our ancestors had discussed Sŏbok in depth for identification of the fact. we need to see around ourselves whether the research of Sŏbok of the present time pales beside that of late Chosŏn period.