『임원경제지』「이운지」에 나타난 조선 후기 향문화 연구

This study examines the reality of incense culture in the late Joseon Dynasty, focusing on the "Iunji" chapter of the Imwon Gyeongjeji. The "Iunji" chapter covers a wide range of topics, including the types and supply routes of incense materials, methods of manufacturing and blending incense, the use of incense tools, and its ceremonial and aesthetic functions. This demonstrates that incense was not merely a consumable but a central element of late Joseon life. In this way, "Iunji" uniquely highlights the realms of aesthetics, refinement, and spiritual cultivation, even within the Imwon Gyeongjeji, which is largely characterized by its focus on agriculture and economics. Examining the socio-cultural significance of incense during that period, we can draw the following conclusions: First, incense functioned as a symbol of social power, combining international trade with local resources. Its production and use formed a multi-layered network of meanings that transcended medicine, aesthetics, and religion. Second, incense tools and their associated consumption culture reflected the social hierarchy and class order while also defining the aesthetic lifestyle of the literati. Third, incense served as a significant medium for spiritual cultivation and aesthetic enjoyment, establishing itself as an important part of the refined culture of the late Joseon period. The incense culture presented in "Iunji" was a complex cultural phenomenon where practical knowledge, social prestige, international trade, and spiritual cultivation intersected. Therefore, "Iunji" is considered a crucial resource for simultaneously exploring the material and spiritual history of incense in the late Joseon Dynasty.