한·중 문헌에 나타난 女國에 대한 서술과 인식

Abstract

In this study, focusing on the women's country introduced in literatures of Korea and China, the way it is described and the perception of the women's country were researched. This discussion was started with two questions.: “How have been recorded the women's country in the Korean-Chinese narratives?”, “How did male intellectuals from both Korea and China, who were the subjects of recording information and knowledge about foreign countries, perceive women's country?” In order to find an answer to the question, this paper examines the descriptive aspect of the women's country in literatures and records of China and Korea. Records from a relatively early period of Chinese literature narratives described the women's country as a space adjacent to the water consisting of only women. Here, women reproduce asexually, by looking at the well or interacting with the wind. The method of linking women with water and reproduction is based on mythical thinking. However, in addition to the characteristics of women's country, descriptions of cannibalism and man-killing customs are added, and women's country is recognized as a closed and exclusive space where men cannot survive. In Korea, the description of the women's country is seen the records from Silla to late Joseon Dynasty. The description of the women's country was basically based on Chinese literature materials and maps, and knowledge and rumors from outside. Before late Joseon Dynasty, the woman’s country was regarded as a real geographic space, and in general, attention was paid to the authenticity of the woman’s country. However, in late Joseon dynasty, it shows a pattern that is regarded as an object of historical testimony and exploration, fear and sexual fantasy of a woman's country of reproduction.