The Exchange and Circulation of Culture between Korean and Chinese Scholars in the 19th Century

In the 19th century, intellectuals from Joseon placed great importance on interaction with scholars and literati from the Qing Dynasty. This was rooted in the background that Joseon's academia at the time showed great interest in the Qing evidential learning of the Qing Dynasty, which reached a relatively mature stage. These intellectuals, generally inclined to re- establish Joseon's Neo-Confucianism by embracing Qing's scholarly achievements, represented a trend of intellectual pursuit. “Haedong Geumseokwon(海東金石苑)” is a collection of Joseon's studies on bronze and stone epigraphy, compiled and supplemented by Qing scholar Yu Heihai(劉喜海). Starting from Jo In-yeong(趙寅永)'s compilation “Haedong Geumseokjongo(海東金石存攷),” Yu Heihai supplemented it to complete “Haedong Geumseokwon” in 1831, but it was not published. The unpublished “Haedong Geumseokwon” was secretly kept by the Qing Collector Pan Zuyin(潘祖蔭), and later published in three installments, continuing to be transmitted until now. “Haedong Geumseokwon” represents the achievement of evidential learning in Qing Dynasty being transmitted to Joseon and then returning to Qing, forming a cycle of achievements in bronze and stone epigraphy between the two countries. Through this return flow, it was evident that there was a valuable document of mutual interest and scholarly exchange between the two countries regarding Joseon's bronze and stone epigraphy. “HaewaiMukyeon(海外墨緣)” is a collection of letters compiled by Qing scholar Wang Heison(汪喜孫). The letters were sent by Joseon literati Gwon Don-in(權敦仁) and encompassed critiques from various perspectives, ranging from phonology, astronomy and arithmetic, classical literature to contemporary scholars' writings. There is controversy over whether “HaewaiMukyeon” was authored by Gwon Don-in or Kim Jeong-hee(金正喜). Especially, examining the content of the letters sent by Wang Heison to the Lee Sang-jeok and to Kim Jeong-hee raises doubts about Kim Jeong-hee being the author. The crucial point is that “HaewaiMukyeon” is preserved in Qing Dynasty as a valuable cultural asset demonstrating Joseon's academic achievements at that time. In general, culture refers to the phenomenon of spreading from the center to the periphery and then circulating back from the periphery to the center, which is called the circulation of culture. In the circulation of culture, mutual roles are emphasized, and the process, possessing dynamism, is seen as holding greater significance above all else. “Haedong Geumseokwon” and “HaewaiMukyeon” serve as excellent examples demonstrating this circulation of culture.