조선인삼에 대한 인식 변화 - 1763년 癸未使行을 중심으로 -

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the changing perception of Japanese in 18th century of Joseon Ginseng, a special crop of the Joseon Dynasty, which is still popular with Japanese people in this 21st century. The diplomatic mission of the Joseon Dynasty always brought the ginseng every time they visit Japan. The ginseng was an enviable object to Japanese at that time. However, after the visit of the Joseon diplomatic mission in 1763(Kyemi Envoy, or Kyemi-tongshinsa), the Japanese began to have a different perception of Joseon Ginseng. This paper has begun to raise questions about the seemingly trivial changes. The perception of Japanese on Joseon Ginseng at that time changed with the international situation and the domestic circumstances of Japan. Until now, there has been little discussion about the change of Japanese perception of Joseon Ginseng. With this in mind, in this paper, I consider the diplomatic visit in 1763 as the starting point of cultural change. Then, on the basis of the differences found in Kyemi envoy and its subsequent visit to Japan by Shinmi-tongshinsa, I examined the changes in perception of Japanese on the ginseng. It is well known that Joseon Ginseng has great efficacy as a herb. At the time of the diplomatic visit in 1763, the ginseng was illuminated on the positive side. Since Japan has taken the lead in the international market and East Asian relations, however, the negative aspects of Joseon Ginseng begin to be emphasized. This phenomenon was caused by problems of the production of ginseng in Joseon Dynasty, but it also happened when Japan became increasingly powerful in international relations. Joseon Ginseng had power as a means of accumulating wealth. This power of Joseon Ginseng was not only powerful in domestically, but also used by Japan when Joseon Dynasty became a Japanese colony. Changes in perception of an object do not ensue in a short-term. In the modern era, Japan gradually recognizes Joseon Ginseng as the object of domination. Observing the change in perception of Japanese on Joseon Ginseng, I would like to argue that this change has already started from the 18th century.