세종대(世宗代) ‘수차(水車)’ 도입 논의를 통해 본 15세기 중화 문물의 수용 문제

Abstract

Examined in this article is the discussion that took place in the Joseon government during the reign of King Sejong, over the issue of importing waterwheels(水車) into Korea to assist agricultural production in the 15th century Joseon society. The goal of such examination is to observe the Joseon people’s perception of - and attitude toward - Chinese culture and technology in this very period.BR Previous studies’ general belief was that the 15th century Joseon people, in their efforts to reinvent their own culture and institutions, preferred ancient Chinese institutions (and even the institutions of its contemporary Chinese counterpart Ming, which they called “Institutions of the Time” [Shiwangjije, 時王之制]) to the institutions of Joseon’s own predecessor Goryeo. However, if we observe various cases of potential cultural embracing or adoption in the 15th century, we can see that not every Chinese cultural influences were welcomed or even favorably perceived. The discussion and debate that took place during King Sejong’s reign over the issue of whether or not Joseon should adopt the Chinese waterwheels is one of those examples.BR Waterwheels were used in agricultural production, as it hugely contributed to adequate irrigation. Even before Sejong’s reign, their adoption was seriously considered several times. A Goryeo official named Baek Mun-bo who served King Gongmin in the late Goryeo days had earlier suggested that waterwheels in usage across the Jiāng Huái(江淮) region of China should be introduced to the Korean peninsula. And later, after the Joseon dynasty was founded an official named Wu Hi-yeol created waterwheels to be employed throughout the country during King Taejong’s reign, but his efforts unfortunately failed as well. BR Various failures to adopt these waterwheels in Joseon could be attributed to the fact that the weather on the Korean peninsula was different from that of either China or Japan. Before the time of King Sejong, mostly Chinese waterwheels were considered for adoption, while since the Sejong days the idea of importing ‘Japanese’ waterwheels(‘Wae-Sucha, 倭水車’) were newly pursued by people like Park Seo-saeng. Park had earlier visited Japan as a Tongshin-sa emissary, and came to realize that the waterwheels used in Japan were not only superior to but also more efficient than Chinese waterwheels, so he proposed to Sejong their installations in Joseon. As he was already deeply interested in the issue, Sejong agreed that Japanese waterwheels could be the answer to the problems the Chinese waterwheels had been posing. This example shows us that not all Chinese culture and technology was positively pursued by the Joseon people. Any country’s culture, if it was deemed to be fitting the Joseon situation or as practical enough to be employed, were favorably pursued.