(Translation) 1079年 高麗禮賓省牒

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  1079年 高麗 禮賓省 牒(2)

Introduction

1079년(고려 문종33) 고려 예빈성에서 일본 대재부에 보낸 외교문서.

기미년(1079: 文宗33) 11월에 고려 禮賓省에서 일본 大宰府에 보낸 牒이다. 風疾을 잘 고치는 醫人을 선발하여 고려에 보내 달라는 내용이다. 당시 풍질로 고생하고 있던 고려 국왕 문종이 고려와 일본을 오가는 상인으로부터 일본에 풍질을 잘 고치는 의사가 있다는 말을 듣고 선물과 함께 이 첩을 보낸 것이다. 당시 고려와 일본은 정식으로 국교관계를 수립하지 않았기 때문에, 이 첩은 정식사절단이 아니라 상인을 통해 전해졌다. 원문서는 전하지 않고, 일본 사서인 『朝野群載』(卷20 異國)에 轉載된 내용만이 남아 있다. 이 책에는 이 첩에 대한 答書 즉, 일본 大宰府에서 고려 예빈성으로 보내는 牒文도 함께 수록되었다. 이 문서는 이듬해인 1080년에 보내진 것이다. 일본에서는 본 첩에서 고려 국왕의 명령을 ‘處分’이라고 하지 않고 ‘聖旨’로 칭한 것이 무례하다고 하여 접수하지 않고 고려에서 보낸 선물과 함께 되돌려 보내었다.

Original Script

Classical Chinese

English

高麗國禮賓省牒大日本國太宰府 當省伏奉 聖旨訪聞 貴國有能理療風疾醫人今 因商客王則貞廻歸次仰 因便通牒及於王則貞處 說示風疾緣由請彼處選擇上等醫人於來年早春 發送到來理療風疾若有功効定不輕酬者今先送花錦 及大綾中綾各一十段麝香一十臍分附王則貞賚 持將去知大宰府官員處且充信儀到可收領者牒 具如前當省所奉 聖旨備錄在前請 貴府若有 端的能療風疾好醫人許容發遣前來仍收領疋段 麝香者諸牒 己未年十一月 日牒 小卿林槩 生 卿崔 卿鄭 大宰府解 申請官裁事 言上高麗國牒壹通狀 右商人往反高麗國古今之例也 因玆去年當朝商 人王則貞爲吏開(交開)罷向彼州之間禮賓省牒壹通相 副錦綾麝香等所送也 是則聞(?)醫師輕廻鎭西之由 牒送旨件則貞所申也者異國之吏爲蒙(?) 裁定未 檢知件錦綾麝香等何況 不聽取 先相副彼牒狀言 上如件謹解 承曆四年三月五日 正 日本國太宰府牒 高麗國禮賓省 却廻方物等事 牒得彼省牒 稱當省伏奉聖旨 仍收領疋段麝香者 如牒者 貴國犯霧露於燕寢之中 求醫療於鼇波之外 望風懷想能不依之 抑牒狀之詞頗睽故事 改處分而曰聖旨 非藩王可稱 宅遐陬而跨上邦 誠彛倫收懌歝 況亦話商人之旅艇 奇殊俗之單書 執圭之使不至 封函之禮旣虧 双魚猶難達鳳池之月 扁鵲何得入鷄林之雲 凡厥方物皆從却廻 今以狀牒 牒到 准狀故牒 承曆四年 月 日

The dispatch from the Bureau of Hospitality of the State of Koryŏ (Goryeo) to the Regional Government of Kyushu of the Great Japan State. This Bureau prostrates to receive the royal edict, which states: “I heard that in Your Noble State exist physicians who are able to treat contagious diseases. Now because traveling merchant Wang Ch’ichŏng (Wang Chikjeong) returned (?). Because of convenience the dispatch reached the place of Wang Ch’ichŏng, stating the cause of the contagious diseases. I kindly request that your state chooses first-class physicians and in the early spring of next year send them here to treat contagious diseases. If the treatment is effective, your state will not be lightly rewarded. Now I first gift brocade, large damask silk, and small damask silk, each ten bolts, musk perfume ten doses and order Wang Ch’ichŏng to carry them to notify the Regional Government of Kyushu as well as acting as a trusted envoy until the gifts reach those who are able to receive them.” The dispatch is written as that this Bureau previously received, and the royal edict is completely recorded ahead. We request that your Noble Government, if there are good physician who really can treat contagious diseases, allow them to be sent here. As precedents, receive the silk bolts and musk perfume as well as various dispatches. In the year of Kimi (Gimi), the eleventh month, on the ? day dispatched. Vice Minister Im Kae (Im Gae) Saeng Minister Ch’oe (Choe) Minister Chŏng (Jeong) The Regional Government of Kyushu report on the decision of the official request. It mentions the above one dispatch from the state of Koryŏ. Merchants going to and returning from the state of Koryŏ is precedent of old and now. Because of this, last year merchant of that dynasty, Wang Ch’ichŏng became an official [envoy], opened diplomacy, and stopped going to the other continent. One dispatch from the Bureau of Hospitality, and accompanying it the brocades, damask silk, and musk perfume as well as the others were that which were gifted. Thereby hearing the reason of why physicians easily returning to the Western Garrison. (?) The edict that was sent with the dispatch was that which Ch’ichŏng requested. The official of foreign state did not know. (?) Rule and judge the unexamined brocade, damask silk, and musk perfume as well as the others. Not to mention if not receive [the gifts], first examine the words of their dispatch. The above was respectfully reported as the document states. Decided in the fourth year of Jōryaku, the third month, on the fifth day.

Discussion Questions

1. Why and how did the medical exchanges become a means of developing the diplomatic relation between Korea and Japan during the 11th century?
2. How could Koryŏ (Goryeo) people hear about such a doctor? Were there such frequent and vast exchanges between the two countries?
3. Why was the Korean court asking for a physician from Japan? Was there a lack of qualified physicians in Korea itself? What did the request tell us about the medical culture at the time?
4. What was the contagious disease that prompted this request? Is there any other document mentioning this issue? What regions did it affect and how was it contained?
5. How was medicine understood and practiced in Koryŏ at this time?
6. How does this document fit into the broader history of Korea-Japan relations? In previous interactions, how did the Goryeo court refer to itself? What made the court of the Koryô kingdom choose the expression 聖旨 when addressing this letter to the Japanese? Was it the first time? How did Korea-Japan relations proceed after this rebuke from Japan?
7. Did the court of the Koryŏ kingdom also ask the northern tribes' help? If not, why only asking the Japanese?
8. What were the roles of merchants in the diplomatic relations between Koryŏ and Japan?

References

『한국고대중세고문서연구』(상), 노명호 외 편, 서울대학교출판부, 2000

Translation

(sample) : Jaeyoon Song

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• Discussion Questions:

Student 1 : Yishu Ma

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• Discussion Questions:

- Why and how did the medical exchanges become a means of developing the diplomatic relation between Korea and Japan during the 11th century?

Student 2 : Samuel Sai Hay Chan 陳世熙 진세희

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• Discussion Questions:

Why was the Korean court asking for a physician from Japan? Was there a lack of qualified physicians in Korea itself? What did the request tell us about the medical culture at the time?

Student 3 : Younès M'Ghari

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• Discussion Questions:

What was the disease mentioned by the court of the Koryô kingdom? Is there any other document mentioning this issue?

What made the court of the Koryô kingdom choose the expression 聖旨 when addressing this letter to the Japanese? Was it the first time?

Did the court of the Koryô kingdom also ask the northern tribes' help? If not, why only asking the Japanese?

How did the Koryô court react to the negative response of the Japanese? Is there any trace of possible comments of Koryô scholars upon this matter?

Did Japan notify China that the Koryô court was using very improper formalities as a vassal state?

Student 4 : King Kwong Wong

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• Discussion Questions:

What was the historical background of this document? How does this document reveal Koryŏ's (Goryeo) stance toward Japan?

What were the roles of merchants in the diplomatic relations between Koryŏ and Japan?

Student 5 : 신동조

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• Discussion Questions:

Why did Goryeo Korea not sent the document according to the diplomatic rituals? What were the Korea-Japan relations like in the 11th century?

Student 6 : Stacey Lui

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• Discussion Questions:

What was the state of Korea-Japan relations during this time?

What was the contagious disease that prompted this request? What regions did it affect and how was it contained?

How was medicine understood and practiced in Koryo at this time?

How did Japan view themselves in relation to China?

Is this text typical of communucation between Japan and Korea? Or were more formal rituals usually observed (as suggested by the text)?

Student 7 : Russell Guilbault

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• Discussion Questions:

1. How does this document fit into the broader history of Korea-Japan relations? In previous interactions, how did the Goryeo court refer to itself? How did Korea-Japan relations proceed after this rebuke from Japan?
2. Goryeo seems to look to Heian Japan as a potential source for more advanced doctors. Was this a general pattern - did Goryeo generally regard Heian Japan as more advanced or developed? Does this have anything to do with the surprised and indignant reaction of the Heian court to the Goryeo dispatch and its use of the term 聖旨?

Student 8 : Q

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• Discussion Questions:

How could Koryŏ people hear about such a doctor? Were there such frequent and vast exchanges between the two countries?

Though it will be hard to determine as this document itself is quite a rare one, was any of the objected matters, such as the use of words and the method of delivery, etc, real offenses or could they have been used as excuses?

Student 9 : (Write your name)

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Student 10 : (Write your name)

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Student 11 : (Write your name)

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Student 12 : (Write your name)

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• Discussion Questions:

Student 13 : (Write your name)

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• Discussion Questions:

Student 14 : (Write your name)

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• Discussion Questions: