Abstract
This article aims to focus on Chosŏn intellectual Kim Chŏng-hŭi’s (1786–1856) Sehando as a case study to examine how interpreters of Chosŏn shaped the network between China and Korea by their language ability, tributary duties, and personal interests.
When Kim was exiled in Jeju, Kim’s student Yi Sang-chŏk (1803–1865), who
was an interpreter of Chosŏn, still gave Kim some books from China even though
he was not in a significant position in the Chosŏn court. Kim appreciated having
this kind of support from a student and, therefore, created Sehando as a gift to repay Yi for the help and support. When Yi received Sehando, he shared the painting with his Chinese friends and the responses of the Chinese literati were inscribed on the original work.
The creation and dissemination of Sehando will be investigated in this article in
order to explain how the social status, interpersonal network, and cultural expectation of Chosŏn interpreters dominated the perspective and attitude of the readership. Although the creator (Kim Chŏng-hŭi) and the readership (Chinese literati) may not have an opportunity for dialogue, interpreters and their network shaped the understanding of each other. The research findings, which reveal the specific process of the dissemination of knowledge in East Asia, not only rewrite the Sino-Korean history, but also offer specific examples to theories of cultural interaction in East Asia.
When Kim was exiled in Jeju, Kim’s student Yi Sang-chŏk (1803–1865), who
was an interpreter of Chosŏn, still gave Kim some books from China even though
he was not in a significant position in the Chosŏn court. Kim appreciated having
this kind of support from a student and, therefore, created Sehando as a gift to repay Yi for the help and support. When Yi received Sehando, he shared the painting with his Chinese friends and the responses of the Chinese literati were inscribed on the original work.
The creation and dissemination of Sehando will be investigated in this article in
order to explain how the social status, interpersonal network, and cultural expectation of Chosŏn interpreters dominated the perspective and attitude of the readership. Although the creator (Kim Chŏng-hŭi) and the readership (Chinese literati) may not have an opportunity for dialogue, interpreters and their network shaped the understanding of each other. The research findings, which reveal the specific process of the dissemination of knowledge in East Asia, not only rewrite the Sino-Korean history, but also offer specific examples to theories of cultural interaction in East Asia.
| Translated title of the contribution | Chosŏn Interpreters of Chinese and Constructing Network of Sino-Chosŏn Cultural Interaction: Case Study of the Relationship between Yi Sang-jŏk and Wandong Sehando |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 121 |
| Number of pages | 151 |
| Journal | 中國文化研究所學報 |
| Volume | 70 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2020 |