근세 한국과 일본의 역사 기록 비교 / Comparative Study of Historical Records and Documents between Korea and Japan in the Pre-modern Period

This article attempts to understand the characteristics of the management of historical records and documents in the Joseon Period, compared with that of the Edo Period in Japan. Sillok(實錄), Seungjeongwon-ilki(承政院日記), Bibyonsa-deungnok(備邊司謄錄), and various Eugwe(儀軌) show the essence of the historical record and the document culture of the Joseon Period. We can suggest Dokugawa-zikki(德川實紀), Yuhitssho-ikki(右筆所日記), Soshabanikki(奏者番日記), and Soshaban-tedome(奏者番手留) as the records and documents of the Edo Period corresponding with those of the Joseon Period.

There are some similarities between Joseon’s system of record and document management and that of the Edo Period, from the point of view that every office had its own system of recording and documenting. However, there was a difference in the system to make Sillok the highest level of records and documents by reporting and abridging from the records and documents that had been produced by every office, the original records and documents being discarded as hyuji (or disused papers for recycling) in the Joseon Period. In the Edo Period, by contrast, no record or document was ever discarded, except for special cases, but was preserved permanently, in other words, a permanent preservation system of records and documents. This point is the most important difference between two countries in their management of historical records and documents.