Research Article
A Study on the "Pak Yŏn's Honch'ŏndo"
1 Sejong University, 2 Konkuk University
Published: January 2000 · Vol. 22 · pp. 33-50
Full Text
Abstract
"Pak Yŏn's Honch'ŏndo"(朴堧渾天圖) is a color star map of Chosŏn(朝鮮) which was preserved in the library of the Diet of Japan. According to the explanation on the chart, it was made on the basis of the Ch'ŏnsangyŏlch'abunyajido(天象列次分野之圖), and two equinox(春・秋分点) were adjusted to the position of those days which it was made. From the position of the sun at the winter solstice(冬至) which was recorded on the chart, we have calculated by the method of Daet'ongli(大統曆) that it was made in about 1680. Therefore we have known that Pak Yŏn, a scholar of Sejong(世宗) period, was not directly related in the making of the Hŏnch'ŏndo. However, we have found that the Ch'ŏnmunbunyajido (天文分野之圖) of Japan has a close relation with the Honch'ŏndo, which was made in the same period, and it was made on the basis of the Korean star maps such as the Ch'ŏnsangyŏlch'abunyajido and the Honch'ŏndo. Through the study on the Honch'ŏndo, we have known that astronomical knowledge of Chosŏn had influence on Japanese astronomy, and Honch'ŏndo is one of such materials found in Japan.