Establishing Diplomatic Order between Early Joseon and Tsushima

This study examines the diplomatic order established between Joseon Korea and Tsushima during the early Joseon period through the lens of diplomatic rituals, with particular focus on the procedures surrounding the conferral of gifts(samul) and official letters(seogye). It analyzes how Joseon adopted the Ming-centered diplomatic ceremonial system and applied it unilaterally to Tsushima, a subordinate diplomatic entity. While Joseon consistently presented itself as a faithful tributary state of the Ming dynasty, it simultaneously positioned itself as an independent actor within the diplomatic hierarchy by enforcing a hierarchical order upon Tsushima. The reception at the outskirts(gyoyeong) and fourfold bowing(sabae) performed by the Tsushima lord in response to royal commands during King Sejong’s reign exemplified core components of a ritual structure rooted in the tributary practices of the Yuan and Ming dynasties. In the reign of King Danjong, Joseon commanded Tsushima to perform the gyoseo-sukbae rite, a protocol originally reserved for local officials receiving royal edicts, structurally mirroring the imperial edict reception ceremonies conducted between the Ming emperor and Joseon. Joseon internalized this strict hierarchical ceremonial order and attempted to project it downward to Tsushima without negotiation. By King Seongjong’s reign, a more elaborate and systematized ritual protocol was established, which required the Tsushima lord to comply with detailed procedures including deep bows and ritual movements. However, repeated disputes arose during the actual execution of these rituals due to Tsushima’s noncompliance or environmental constraints, prompting strong responses from Joseon envoys to safeguard royal authority. Notably, while Joseon showed flexibility in interpreting and implementing Ming ceremonies, it refused to grant similar autonomy or room for negotiation to Tsushima. These confrontations underscore Joseon’s intent to impose a civilized order upon Tsushima and demand its function as a southern vassal state(Protectorate, beonbyeong) within a broader East Asian diplomatic framework.