KOREASCHOLAR

This study examined food culture appearing in Giroyeon paintings in the late Chosun Dynasty (early 17th~l9th century), a period under political and economical difficulties in overcoming frustrations and looking for self-restoration methods after Imjinweran(1592~1598) and Byungjahoran(1636~1637). Paintings related to Giroyeon include Lee Gi-ryong's (1600~?) 〈Namjiginohoedo〉 painted in 1629 under the reign of King Injo (1623~1649), 〈Gisasayeondo〉 painted jointly by Kim Jin-yeo et al. in 1720, the first year of King Gyeongjong (1720~1724) and Kim Hong-do's 〈Giroseryeongyedo〉 painted in 1804 under the reign of King Sunjo (1800~1834) in the early 19th century. These paintings over three centuries of the late Chosun show changes in the character of Giroyeon, food culture and tableware culture, etc. According to these paintings, the character of Giroyeon was expanded from a feast held for high civil officials to a banquet comprehending general civil servants. These paintings show Hyangeumjueui, which means the decorum of respecting and sowing the aged men of virtue with alcohol beverage, table manner, seated culture represented by cushions and mats and individual-table culture. In addition, the expansion of demand for sunbaikja and chungwhabaikja and the diversification of vessels and dishes are demonstrated in Giroyeon paintings after Imjinweran in 1592. in this way, Giroyeon paintings show the historical characteristics of the late Chosun Dynasty, such as the collapse of Yangban-centered political system, the disintegration of the medieval system due to the emergence of the Silhak and the diversification of food culture.

• 고경희 | Koh, Kyung-Hee