Bokushigen

A Korean writer and thinker during the Joseon Dynasty. His pen name was Jungmi and his pen name was Yeongam. He was born in Seoul. Though from a distinguished family, he disliked the formalistic teachings of Confucianism and did not take the civil service examinations. Instead, he devoted himself to the study and dissemination of practical learning thought. At the age of 30, he became acquainted with Hong Daeyong (1731-1783), a master of practical learning, and became passionate about natural sciences, opening his eyes to Western civilization. In 1780, he traveled to Qing as an attendant to Park Myeong-won (1725-1790) and broadened his horizons. After returning to Korea, he wrote the travelogue Jehol Diary, which caused a great stir in the intellectual circles of the time. He held his first official position at the age of 50, and in response to a consultation by the king on agricultural policy, he submitted the paper Kaanong Sosho, famous for its advocacy of limiting land ownership and reforming agricultural policy. He was also the author of short stories, including "The Story of the Yangban," "The Story of the Gwangmunja," "The Story of Heo Saeng," and "The Story of Min Oung," which are collected in "The Tale of the Bangkak," "Yeonam Collection," and "Yeonam Collection." These stories are permeated with scathing ridicule and satire against the incompetent yangban rulers, and foreshadow the dawn of the modern era.

[Hak Jun Yoon October 19, 2016]

"Yoshio Imamura's translation of "Jehol Diaries 1 and 2" (Heibonsha, Toyo Bunko)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

朝鮮、李朝(りちょう)時代の文学者、思想家。字(あざな)は仲美、号は燕巌(えんがん)。ソウルの生まれ。名門の出だが、儒教の形式主義的な教義を嫌って科挙に応ぜず、もっぱら実学思想の研究と普及に努めた。30歳のとき実学の大家洪大容（1731―1783）の知遇を得て自然科学に熱中、西洋の文明に目を開く。1780年、朴明源（1725―1790）の随行員として清(しん)に赴き見聞を広め、帰国後、紀行記『熱河日記』を著述、当時の思想界に大きな波紋を投げかけた。50歳のとき初めて官につくが、農政に関する王の諮問を受けて提出した『課農小抄』は、土地所有の制限と農政改革を主張したことで有名。短編小説の作者でもあり、『両班(ヤンバン)伝』『広文者伝』『許生伝』『閔翁(びんおう)伝』などが『放閣(ほうけいかく)外伝』『燕巌集』『燕巌外集』などに収録されている。これらの作品は、無能な両班支配者たちに対する痛烈な揶揄(やゆ)と風刺で貫かれており、近代への幕開きを予兆している。

［尹　學　準　2016年10月19日］

『今村与志雄訳『熱河日記1・2』（平凡社・東洋文庫）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例