조선 후기 성(性)의 실상과 배경 -『기이재상담(紀伊齋常談)』을 중심으로

Abstract

A purpose of the article is an investigation of sexuality in late Chosun period. I studied three category of sex, knowledge, power and subject. The knowledge about sex was studied through the most famous medical book in Chosun, Donguibogam東醫寶鑑(compiled by Huh Jun in 1613), and the response of political power to sex was investigated through the basic law books used in Chosun, Daejonhoetong大典會通(published in 1865) and Daminglu大明律(the criminal law of Ming Dynasty, China), and the status of sexual subject was through Giijaesangdam紀伊齋常談. Giijaesangdam is a story book mostly about sex, edited in 19th century Chosun. The book was first introduced by me this year. It is a very interesting book showing the sexuality of Chosun people. All the persons in the book are vivid and energetic. Giijaesangdam shows the bright sexual world of Chosun people, that Prof. Someya said. Most of all the Korean think the sexuality was oppressed in Chosun dynasty. But that is not true. Basically Chosun had the sexual openness. The men of upper class had their concubines usually, and the men and women of lower class also had their second spouses to some degree. Only women of upper class had to have a husband, and no divorce was permitted. Sexual oppressions to women of upper class were not real oppression, the purpose of the oppression was not the oppression of sex, but for the Confusianism social order.