A Ganchal(簡札) or a letter, which is one of the most universal communicative mean between scholars in Joseon Dynasty, comprises the largest portion of old documents. Needless to say, some letters have precious information in the form of fragments a...
A Ganchal(簡札) or a letter, which is one of the most universal communicative mean between scholars in Joseon Dynasty, comprises the largest portion of old documents. Needless to say, some letters have precious information in the form of fragments although others do not. The information gives us important clues to research thoughts, cultures, and figures in Joseon Dynasty. This essay is a research to understand aspects of academic exchanges of letters between scholars in Honam area of the late Joseon Dynasty. To be more precise, I clarify academic tendencies of Hong Daeyong(洪大容), Na Gyeongjeok(羅景績), Seo Yugu(徐有渠) and Ha Baekwon(河百源) by analyzing letters between them. We can find the process of making Xuan ji yu heng(璿璣玉衡) in Hong Daeyong`s letters and a trial to actually make a zi sheng ju(自升車) or a waterwheel in Seo Yougu`s letters. In these regards, the letters help us understand the fact that scientific thoughts and promotion of public welfare (li yong hou sheng, 利用厚生) were a foundation to promote their activities of practical learning.