A study on the prose of Guam(久菴) Han Baek-gyeom(韓百謙)

This paper examines the world of his prose as part of a study on the literature of Guam(久菴) Han Baek-gyeom(韓百謙, 1552~1615). In order to complement the tendency of Han Baek-gyeom's research to date to focus on a specific field and to verify the traditional period evaluation of his literature, this paper conducts a study on his literature. Research on Han Baek-gyeom's literature must ultimately be conducted on his prose works. The reason is that his collection of works, Guamyugo(久菴遺稿), contains only prose works. The works included in this collection were generally created in old age, after the age of 50. His prose works were examined from three aspects. The writing of detailed arguments is intended to confirm the evaluation of Han Baek-gyeom's prose in the traditional era, the writing of reflection and edification is intended to illuminate the world of works that reflect his life and values, and the writing of novel arguments is intended to demonstrate his excellence as a prose writer. First, we looked at Dogdabanghae(讀多方解) as a form of detailed argumentative writing. His actions as a scholar, making arguments and clarifying reasons based on critical awareness, without carelessly overlooking specific records or descriptions, demonstrate his academic methodology. Second, we looked at Bansidanggi(返始堂記) as a writing of reflection and edification. He expanded the meaning of bansi(返始) by overlapping self and others, space and morality. Third, we looked at Jeobmogseol(接木說) as a novel piece of argumentative writing. It contains reflections on one's life and insight into human morals and values through the cultivation method called grafting and its series of processes.