동아시아 박물학의 전통에서 본 조선후기 광물학

Abstract

This study examines the knowledge of minerals in 『Seomyongji(贍用志)』 and 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun(五洲書種博物考辨)』 to study the formation and development of the knowledge of minerals in the late Joseon dynasty. Since knowledge of minerals was mutually exchanged between countries in East Asia, it is important to have a comparative viewpoint in order to study the historical significance of the knowledge of minerals in Joseon dynasty. Before modern western mineralogy was introduced to East Asia, the traditional knowledge of minerals in East Asia was formed and developed from traditions that differ from western ones. Knowledge of minerals in Joseon and Japan was highly influenced by China. This study examines the formation and development of the knowledge of minerals in East Asia based on 5 major sections in tradition: emotional sympathy in 『Shijing(詩經)』, study on bizarreness in 『Shanhaijing(山海經)』, experimental knowledge in 地理書, overall gathering in 類書類, and practical usefulness in 本草書. Also, it is necessary to examine the traditional knowledge of minerals in terms of not only the 5 traditions but also Chinese alchemy and its practical value. Especially, it should be noticed that the tradition of Chinese alchemy is closely related to herbology. Tradition of herbology contributed a crucial part in formation and development of knowledge of minerals in China and Japan. Especially, knowledge of minerals in 『BencaoGangmu(本草綱目)』 had a great influence on the development of natural history in Joseon and Japan. Knowledge of minerals in Joseon was developed from geography, herbology, and above all, encyclopedia. Specifically, the development in the knowledge of minerals took place in the study on minerals as a practical value in 『JibongYuseol(芝峯類說)』 and 『SeonghoSaseol(星湖僿說)』, and Myeongmulhak, which was trending in the late 18th century. Such practical perspective and the development of Myeongmulhak became a foundation for 『Seomyongji』 by Seo Yu-gu and 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』 by Lee Gyu-gyeong. In 『LimwonGyeongjeji(林園經濟志)』 by Seo Yu-gu, 『Seomyongji』 describes production・manufacturing technologies of architecture・tool・basic commodities. Knowledge of minerals can be found most in ｢Seolsaekjigu(設色之具)｣ and ｢Gongjehongchan(工制總纂)｣. ｢Seolsaekjigu｣ covers traditional pigments including 15 kinds of mineral pigments. Names, recipe, and origins of the mineral pigments were introduced. ｢Gongjechongchan｣ describes about how to treat lumber, metal, jade and stone, pottery and porcelain, bone・horn・leather and pearl oyster, and industrial education. 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』 by Lee Gyu-gyeong, evaluated as the one and only chemical description in Joseon, is consisted of 3 books. Book 1 covers 12 kinds of metal minerals including gold, silver, copper, and other kinds of alloy. Book 2 covers 23 kinds including nonmetallic minerals like 玉石類 and processed goods like 眼鏡類・甆器類. Book 3 covers 15 kinds of minerals including 水銀類 and others. Like this, a naturalistic study on minerals was conducted on a total of 50 kinds of minerals. Knowledge of minerals shown in these two books are closely related to each other. It is shown that the knowledge of minerals studied by Seo Yu-gu or most knowledge of minerals in 『Seomyongji』, including edited sentences, can be found in 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』. In other words, it is proven that Lee Gyu-gyeong referred to the knowledge of minerals in 『Seomyongji』, especially ｢Gongjechongchan｣ when he wrote 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』. He also added knowledge of minerals that was not covered in 『Seomyongji』 when he re-edited. It is noticeable that the knowledge of minerals in both books was formed based on traditional knowledge of minerals in East Asia, especially from China. 『Seomyongji』 referred to Chinese publications 『TiangongKaiwu(天工開物)』, 『BencaoGangmu(本草綱目)』, 『GujinMiyuan(古今祕苑)』 and Japanese publication 『Wakasansaizue(和漢三才圖會)』. 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』 used the similar reference, but it covered more rich knowledge of minerals by referring to the knowledge of minerals in 『WuliXiaoshi(物理小識)』, which was not used as a reference in 『Seomyongji』. Furthermore, both books not only collected knowledge of minerals in East Asia, but also studied on the knowledge of minerals in Joseon. Both authors investigated on the origins, types, and mining methods of minerals in Joseon. Also, they defined the names of minerals that had been called by several names, which showed their preference in naturalistic study. Another noticeable point in both books in terms of accommodating knowledge of minerals in East Asia is that 『Seomyongji』 referred to the knowledge of minerals in 『TiangongKaiwu』 the most, and 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』 referred to the knowledge of minerals in 『BencaoGangmu』 the most. This shows two different characteristics in studying the knowledge of minerals, and is also related to mineral categorization in two books. 『Seomyongji』 sees minerals as a practical value in industrial system, which is similar with 『TiangongKaiwu』. Lee Gyu-gyeong also agrees with Seo Yu-gu’s purpose of study, however, he lied a bigger purpose on his study preference in natural history. He pursued the origin and practicality of objects in natural history. This is the reason why he distinguished himself from Seo Yu-gu and categorized minerals into 類 and studied them individually in 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』. His study spirit can be best seen in his leading experiment in manufacturing baekdong(白銅). To summarize, 『Seomyongji』 studied on the practical value of minerals while 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』 pursued a natural historical viewpoint of investigating minerals themselves. Unlike studies on animals or plants like 魚譜 and 花譜, mineral studies in East Asia were not conducted individually. Mineral-specialized publications can be found as western mineralogy was introduced in modern times, but before then, it is hard to find professional publications that focus on minerals only. It can be inferred that intellectuals in East Asia had less interest in minerals than in animals or plants as a study subject. In such situation, Seo Yu-gu and Lee Gyu-gyeong had interest in minerals as a study subject. Especailly, Lee Gyu-gyeong trend to gather minerals into one knowledge system by writing 『O-juSeojongBakmulGobyun』, which focuses on minerals.