조선후기 중국서책의 구입과 장황의 변화

Abstract

Books printed from China, the culturally advanced country of East Asia, had always been a matter of utmost interest to Joseon and high on the priority purchase list of envoy dispatched. Joseon had bought the books that did not exist at that time or newly compiled books in China, through the envoy dispatched. The scope of purchase of Chinese books, which had continued in a constant effort since the early Joseon period, had been expanded to a degree incomparable to that of the early Joseon period in its scale and diversity, reaching the late Joseon dynasty.

This thesis has examined the process Chinese books were purchased and preserved in the late Joseon period, and what changes Chinese books had brought to the binding of Joseon books. To purchase Chinese books, after the royal sanction was given on Chogi(草記), Dangsang (senior third rank) of Gyujanggak (palace library) provided any number of wagons with any silver from any storeroom to Sangtongsa(上通事), the Suyeok(首譯; chief official interpreter in mission), and then an approval letter(關文) stating that silver coins would be admitted to China for Chinese books was sent to governor of Pyeongan Province. The decision on purchase of Chinese books lies with Samsasin (three envoies) and the purchasing was made depending on the local circumstance.

In the late Joseon dynasty, the books purchased from China had been stored in Yeolgogwan(閱古觀) and Kaeyuwa(皆有窩), and maintained with the process of Bongsim(奉審; attention) and Posoae(曝曬; ventilation and drying of the books). Besides, the Chinese books of which covers were so weak that they could be easily corruptible had been bound into Joseon book style for permanent preservation. The most prominent characteristic out of the Joseon bookbinding styles affected by Chinese books was the appearance of tiles(編題) of various forms. In addition, the Joseon books were bound with four eyelet punched holes, formerly five holes, or wrapped with Gwadu(裹頭; head wrap) that protected book corners.