한말 貢人의 선물 교환과 사회관계 : 「荷齋日記」를 중심으로

Abstract

This study examines the social relations of ‘Gongin’(貢人) in Late 19th Century in Korea through ‘Hajaeilgi’(荷齋日記). ‘Hajaeilgi’(荷齋日記) is the diary of Chi Gyusik(池圭植) during 1891-1911, which shows the gift exchange and social relations of ‘Gongin’(貢人) at that time. Chi Gyusik(池圭植) was ‘Gongin’(貢人) of ‘Yanggeun Bunwon’(楊根分院) which supply various vessels to the government and the Royal. In ‘Hajaeilgi’(荷齋日記), social relations of Chi Gyusik(池圭植) are categorized into three types. The first is the relation with includes colleagues of ‘Bunwon’(分院),merchants of Seoul with which Chi Gyusik(池圭植) had a relationship of Relief Bonds. The second is the relation with a high-ranking government officials. The third is the relation with the neighborhood residents, 船人(seamen) of ‘Nangcheon’(狼川), 邊房匠卒(workingmen), 地方色吏(local officials) and so on. Chi Gyusik(池圭植) collected taxes from the third one and managed ‘Yanggeun Bunwon’(楊根分院). That was a continuous process of conflict and negotiation. In this process, when the problem occurred, Chi Gyusik(池圭植) depended on a high-ranking government officials, who, in fact, had a power to solve it. Therefore,to guarantee a right to collect taxes, Chi Gyusik(池圭植) would maintain the relationship of government officials. He offered a personal gift as well as his taxes. Also he shared common interests with his colleagues and merchants of Seoul by establishing a relationship of Relief Bonds.