Mujin(1748) Tonginsa History-Related Written Conversations and Its Meaning

After the Imjin War, the Tongsinsa, a diplomatic envoy between Joseon and Japan, played a major role in promoting friendship between the two countries. The Tongsinsa as the only window for the creation of Japanese knowledge had a great influence on Joseon. This paper intends to pay attention to the contents of historical essays in the record of the Mujin Tongsinsa in 1748. In order for the written dialogue between the two countries to be carried out smoothly, it is important to elicit dialogue through memories or experiences that can be shared with each other. A typical example is the method through the mention of Gooyeon(舊緣) and Sookyeon(宿緣). Japanese writers tried to obtain the effect of relieving the awkwardness and tension with the Tongsinsa through Gooyeon(舊緣) and Sookyeon(宿緣). However, there was also a case of mentioning historical figures of ancient Korea and direct relations with the Tongsinsa. It is intended to form a sense of familiarity by referring to the blood ties between historical figures whose names remain in the records of ancient Korea-Japan relations and the Tongsinsa. Japanese writer Shino Ryo(篠亮) admired the loyalty and spirit of Park Je-sang (朴堤上), who devoted himself to the country and the king even when he died, and he asks the question, “Isn't he a descendant of Park Kyung-haeng(朴敬行), a public official with the same surname?” In fact, he is trying to raise the other person by mentioning the great ancestors of his predecessors. In his writing story of the Tongsinsa, Shino Ryo is trying to create a sense of familiarity by listening to historical figures and various Park families related to Japan. Through this, he tried to break the awkward atmosphere and enjoy the effect of smooth writing. In the Mujin speculative writing story, writing stories related to Dangun and Wangin are seen. Wangin is known as a person who took Cheonjamun and Analects from Baekje and taught Japan to write and study abroad through this. In other words, he was a person related to Japanese studies and the origin of Confucianism. The writing story related to Wangin is mainly seen as an intention to confirm that Japanese writers tell Joseon writers, “Is it in the record of Wangin?” However, it can be seen that the writing-related writing-story about the king continues based on incorrect information in the later writing-story of the speculation. It can be said that it is a writing-story that shows a situation in which Japanese writers misunderstood due to the projection of excessive expectations that the king's record remains in Joseon's books. Japanese literature in the 18th century showed an effort to collect and acquire Joseon's knowledge. They showed interest in historical records related to the relationship between the ancient Three Kingdoms and Japan, and the history and language of the Three Kingdoms. The Japanese writers sought to be recognized or confirmed by the Joseon writers through writing interviews with the Joseon writers. What the Japanese writers wanted to obtain through writing-talk exchanges with the Joseon writers was the intention to search and secure evidence of ancient Japanese history behind the acquisition of Joseon knowledge.