Late 19th Century Korea and Japan: From Interpreters Perspective

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13332
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 03020:Japanese history-related
• Research Institution: Otsuma Women's University (2022-2023); Nagoya University (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: SAKAI Masayo 大妻女子大学, 比較文化学部, 講師 (30827655)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 日朝関係 / 対馬 / 朝鮮 / 江戸幕府 / 通訳官 / 幕末維新 / 外務省 / 倭館

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focuses on analyzing the transition from a feudal (early modern) diplomatic system to a centralized (modern) diplomatic system between 1850 and 1880, with a specific emphasis on the transformation of diplomatic relations with the Joseon Dynasty. It aims to reconstruct the historical development from early modern to modern periods in the history of Japan-Korea relations.
Particularly, the study highlights interpreters (Joseon interpreters of Tsushima and Japanese interpreters of Joseon) who supported the forefront of negotiations. Through their various activities in diplomatic negotiations between Japan and Joseon from early modern to modern times, it elucidates the aspects of transformation and continuity in Japan-Joseon relations.
As a result, it reveals a certain continuity in the activities of interpreters who supported diplomacy amidst the "transformation" of interstate relations between Japan and Korea.

Free Research Field

日本近世史・日朝関係史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

通訳官が主に担ってきた現実の外交交渉の活動を具体的に追究し、彼らの果たした役割を詳細に再現することによって、マクロでは近世から近代への「転回」ととらえられてきた当該期日朝関係の変容／継承の問題を、よりミクロな視点から再構成できる。これは、近世＝「友好」の時代、近代以降＝「険悪」「支配」の時代と二項対立的に描かれる従来の日朝関係の見方から脱却するものであり、日本史・朝鮮史研究に視座の転換を促すこととなる。