Wakan

In the 15th century, in the early days of the Joseon Dynasty, guesthouses were established to entertain Japanese who traveled to Korea for trade. These were established in Sanpo (Seiho = Daijipo, Busanpo, Enpo) as well as Hanseong (Seoul). Dongyeongkan and Seopyeongkan are known as Hanseong Wakan facilities. Trade was conducted at these Wakan. When a Wakan arrived at a port, the Gyeongsang Province inspector would inspect the name and quantity of the cargo on board, and a post horse would be used to send the Japanese to Hanseong. The Japanese who traveled to Hanseong would have an audience with the King of Korea, present a letter and a gift, receive a gift from the King, and trade at the Wakan on a date and in a manner specified by the Korean government. In that sense, the Wakan was also a place of trade. Furthermore, the expenses for their stay were covered by the Korean side. The Wakan in Hanseong was abolished in 1609 (Keicho 14) when Japanese envoys were banned from traveling to Tokyo, and only the Wakan in Urasoe remained until the Meiji era.

[Kitajima Manji]

"Research on the History of Japan-Korea Relations, Vol. 1" by Eiko Nakamura (1969, Yoshikawa Kobunkan)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

15世紀、李氏(りし)朝鮮の初期、日本から通交のため朝鮮に渡航した日本人を接待した客館。これは三浦(さんぽ)（薺浦(せいほ)＝乃而(だいじ)浦、釜山(ふざん)浦、塩(えん)浦）のほか漢城（ソウル）にも設けられた。漢城倭館の施設として東平館と西平館が知られている。この倭館で貿易が行われた。その方法は、倭船が浦所へ着くと、慶尚道観察使が積載物貨の名称と数量を検査し、駅馬を利用して日本人を漢城へ送る。渡航した日本人は朝鮮国王に拝謁し、書契と進物を呈し、国王から回賜を受け、朝鮮政府の指定した期日と方法によって倭館で貿易を行う。その意味で、倭館は貿易の場でもあった。また、彼らの滞在中の費用は朝鮮側が負担した。漢城の倭館は、1609年（慶長14）日本使節の上京が禁ぜられて廃止となり、浦所の倭館のみが残り明治に至った。

［北島万次］

『中村栄孝著『日鮮関係史の研究　上』（1969・吉川弘文館）』

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