経済的側面から見た朝鮮通信使

Abstract

This paper focuses on the commercial relations between Chosun and Japan during the 17th-19th century. In particular, this paper focuses on the twelve diplomatic and cultural delegations, the so-called "Chosun Tongsinsa" which the Chosun dynasty, at the request of the Japanese shogunal, dispatched to the Tokugawa bakufu during the period from 1607 to 1811. During the period, most of the trade activities between Chosun and Japan occurred through Tsushima, an island located between the Korean peninsula and Kyusyu. The major goods offered by Japan were minerals including silver and copper, water buffalo's horns and pepper, while those offered by Chosun were rice, beans and cotton, Korean ginseng and Chinese silk fabric. The author draws particular attention to the fact that on several occasions, large sums of silver coins given to chief envoy and other high ranking officers of the above Chosun delegations in the form of gift‐xchanges. Onward from the end of the 17th century, the amount of Japanese silver which flowed to Chosun exceeded that which flowed to an other countries combined. Chosun, in return, used this silver as a means of payment for its commercial dealings with China. This distribution channel of silver-i.e.,from Japan to China by ways of Chosun was sometimes referred to as the "silver-road" in the East Asia. This paper also deals with records of the Chosun envoy's observations of Japan, comparing them with records of the periodical courtesy calls more to the Japanese shogun by the chief of the Dutch trading post in Dejima, Nagasaki. During the period known as Sakoku or “closed country", Holland was exceptionally given permission to keep a trading postin Dejima from 1639 to 1854. In appreciation of this special treatment, and in order to continue to trading, the chief of trading post would frequently travel in entourage to Edo to appear before the Shogun and present him with gifts. This audience was conducted a total of 166 times. It should be noted that while the leadership of Tokugawa bakufu showed a keen interest in receiving the Dutch entourage, which brought medical instruments, optical instruments and rarities from Europe as well as information and reports on international situations, and they showed rather less interest in the Chosun missions, which mostly presented them with ginseng. This paper in conclusion shows that the officials of the Chosun missions, by using Japan's level of Chinese culture such as Chinese poetry, Chinese calligraphy and Confucian ethics, perceived the Japanese as savage barbarians and collectively failed to appreciate the diversity and strengths of Japan.