沙溪 金長生의 <상서> 해석 -<經書辨疑-書傳>을 중심으로－

Abstract

The two most influential commentaries on Shang Shu(尙書, the Book of Historical Documents, a.k.a. Shu Jing書經, Classic of History, also just abbreviated to ‘Shu書’, pronounced ‘Seo書’ in Korean) in early Chosun(朝鮮) period are Kwon Geun(權近)’s Seo Cheongyeonnok(書淺見錄, Superficial Reflections on Shu Jing) and Yi Hwang(李滉)’s Seo Seoki(書釋義, Commentary on Shu Jing). These two books were written to interpret Shang Shu on the basis of explanatory notes of Shu Ji Zhuan(書集傳, A Collection of Comments on the Shu) by Cai Chen(蔡沈) who was one of Zhu Xi(朱熹)'s eminent disciples. The interpretation of Shang Shu on the basis of Shu Ji Zhuan should be preceded by examining and analyzing Shu Ji Zhuan per se. Kim Jangsaeng(金長生)’s Interpretation of Shang Shu was inherited from the previous achievements of Shang Shu interpretation of early Chosun period represented by Kwon Geun and Yi Hwang, and also written for the purpose of supplemented and intensified examination of Cai Chen’s commentary on Shu Jing. Kim Jangsaeng’s Gyeongseo Byeoni on Shu Ji Zhuan(經書辨疑-書傳, The Examination of divergent passages in Chinese Classics - On Cai Chen’s Collection of Comments on the Shu) has 104 articles in total out of which 82 articles are on the subject of Cai Chen’s Shu Ji Zhuan, and mainly deals with the problems in Shu Ji Zhuan such as Controversy over Jinwen(今文: current script in Han Dynasty) and Guwen(古文: ancient script) texts, the reliability of forewords to each chapters of Shang Shu called Shuxu(書序), the problem of first 28 characters in Shun Dian(舜典, Canon of Shun, the second chapter of Shang Shu), and historical research on geographic themes. These topics were also main issues in Cai’s Shu Ji Zhuan, which shows Kim intended to supplement and rectify Cai’s deficiencies and faults. In the course of closer examination, Kim had recognized the inaccuracy of Cai’s Shu Ji Zhuan,, which drove him to suggest the alternative commentaries. This can be regarded as his own line of interpretation of Shang Shu in Chosun dynasty when Cai’s interpretation had great influence in Shang Shu study. It is also noteworthy that Kim adopted the interpretations of commentaries of Chosun dynasty’s preceding scholars such as Kwon Geun, Yi Hwang, or Yi I(李珥) and comtemporary scholars such as Sin Heum(申欽), Im Sukyeong(任叔英), Jeong Hongmyeong(鄭弘溟), and that Kim’s commentary had influenced to Kim Jongjeong(金鍾正)’s interpretation of Shang Shu who lived in 18th century’s Chosun dynasty, the era of King Yeonjo(英祖) and Jeongjo(正祖). Kim Jangsaeng’s Gyeongseo Byeoni inherited the preceding interpretation of Shang Shu in early Chosun period such as Kwon Geun’s or Yi Hwang’s, which intensified and deepened the understanding of Cai Chen’s interpretation of Shang Shu, and also accepted positively his comtemporary scholars’ view such as Sin Heum, Im Sukyeong, and Jeong Hongmyeong, which means that he propose the alternative of Cai’s interpretation. Kim Jangsaeng’s interpretion and commentary of Shang Shu can be evaluated as the bridge to later Chosun dynasty’s own line of Shang Shu interpretation.