Changes

The institution was established in [[1443]], alongside the establishment of special privileges for the [[So clan|Sô samurai clan]] of Tsushima as the preeminent Japanese with whom the Koreans would engage in trade and diplomacy (as intermediaries representing the shogun). In [[1512]], following [[Samp'o Incident|a naval clash]] in [[1510]] between Sô and Joseon ships in which the former were supporting a Japanese traders' and fishermen's protest, Tsushima's representatives in Korea were restricted to the ''Waegwan'' while in Korea.

The institution was established in [[1443]], alongside the establishment of special privileges for the [[So clan|Sô samurai clan]] of Tsushima as the preeminent Japanese with whom the Koreans would engage in trade and diplomacy (as intermediaries representing the shogun). In [[1512]], following [[Samp'o Incident|a naval clash]] in [[1510]] between Sô and Joseon ships in which the former were supporting a Japanese traders' and fishermen's protest, Tsushima's representatives in Korea were restricted to the ''Waegwan'' while in Korea.

Relations between Korea and Japan shut down entirely as a result of [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi|Toyotomi Hideyoshi's]] [[Korean Invasions|invasions of Korea]] in the 1590s, but were later restored. The walled complex, at that time large enough to house roughly 500 Japanese officials and merchants, reopened in [[1607]]. It was later moved to a larger compound in Ch'oryang (at Pusan Harbor) in the late 17th century; at any given time roughly 500 to 1000 men were in residence at the ''Waegwan'' from that time forward.<ref>Hellyer, 43.</ref> From [[1639]] until [[1717]], the ''Waegwan'' was equipped with a set of kilns for producing [[pottery]].<ref>Gallery labels, [[Freer Gallery of Art]].</ref>

Relations between Korea and Japan shut down entirely as a result of [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi|Toyotomi Hideyoshi's]] [[Korean Invasions|invasions of Korea]] in the 1590s, but were later restored. The walled complex, at that time large enough to house roughly 500 Japanese officials and merchants, reopened in [[1607]]. It was later moved to a larger compound in Ch'oryang (at Pusan Harbor) in the late 17th century; at any given time roughly 500 to 1000 men were in residence at the ''Waegwan'' from that time forward.<ref>Hellyer, 43.</ref>

 

The compound was organized around a hill or mountain known as Yongdusan ("Dragon Head Mountain"). While the west side of the compound was used by emissaries from Tsushima, the east side housed lodgings and offices for resident officials, storehouses, and commercial establishments. A pair of guardhouses flanked the entrance.<ref>Gallery labels, National Museum of Japanese History.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9649117469/sizes/l]</ref> From [[1639]] until [[1717]], the ''Waegwan'' was also equipped with a set of kilns for producing [[pottery]].<ref>Gallery labels, [[Freer Gallery of Art]].</ref>

Official trade took place in the course of ritual diplomatic interactions, as the representatives of the Sô clan, as vassals of the Korean king, received formal seals reaffirming their trade monopoly, and exchanged [[tribute]] goods for gifts. Tsushima officials were obliged to perform rites of submission towards the Korean king. These rituals fully followed Korean customs and protocols, and included Tsushima officials bowing towards a wooden figure symbolizing the Korean king. Though Tsushima complained at times that they were willing to bow towards the king, but not towards other Korean officials, officials regularly insisted upon standing next to the wooden figure, so that the Tsushima representatives would be forced to bow to them as well.<ref>Jeong-mi Lee, “Chosŏn Korea as Sojunghwa, the Small Central Civilization,” ''International Christian University Publications 3-A, Asian Cultural Studies'' 国際基督教大学学報 3-A,アジア文化研究 36 (2010) 307-308.</ref>

Official trade took place in the course of ritual diplomatic interactions, as the representatives of the Sô clan, as vassals of the Korean king, received formal seals reaffirming their trade monopoly, and exchanged [[tribute]] goods for gifts. Tsushima officials were obliged to perform rites of submission towards the Korean king. These rituals fully followed Korean customs and protocols, and included Tsushima officials bowing towards a wooden figure symbolizing the Korean king. Though Tsushima complained at times that they were willing to bow towards the king, but not towards other Korean officials, officials regularly insisted upon standing next to the wooden figure, so that the Tsushima representatives would be forced to bow to them as well.<ref>Jeong-mi Lee, “Chosŏn Korea as Sojunghwa, the Small Central Civilization,” ''International Christian University Publications 3-A, Asian Cultural Studies'' 国際基督教大学学報 3-A,アジア文化研究 36 (2010) 307-308.</ref>