고려대학교

초록/요약

The author of the <Hajae ilgi (荷齋日記)> Ji Gyu-sik lived a peaceful life in Bunwon Village, where he earned a living from the ceramic industry that was first established during the late Joseon era. However, his ‘peaceful’ life found itself falling prey to the waves of ‘upheaval’ that marked the late 19th century. The righteous army (uibyeong) was the first to arrive in the village. Although the righteous army trumpeted itself as an instrument of great righteousness (daeui), their demands for materials inevitably must have felt like violent encroachment to the residents of Bunwon Village who could not directly feel the value of such ‘righteousness’. However, the residents adopted an antinomic attitude toward the government force and Japanese imperial force that simultaneously arrived in the village. Above all, Ji Gyu-sik and the residents had strong hostility toward both parties because the government and Japanese imperial forces were as exploitative as the righteous army. However, they were able to use their prior relationship with the government to engage the latter’s force in a negotiation that ultimately led to its withdrawal. However, the Japanese imperial forces proved to be a different animal. The Japanese unilaterally plundered Bunwon Village and suppressed the villagers to an unprecedented extent. This situation consequently brought about the unity of the village community.