The Induction and Examination of Hongmu 31 (1398)’s Bunjaegi on Slaves Sending Back to the Owners

Abstract

This study will introduce Bunjaegi written in 1398 (Hongmu 31), and it is particularly special because it has been regarded as the earliest case in Chosun. Moreover, as it deals with detailed contents including slaves’ runaway and arrest-related matters or the division of escaping slaves, it is even more noteworthy, and the document itself has crucial meaning as it is. The document examined here contains the process of sending the slaves back to the owners, division of slaves sending back to the owners, or the participants’ signature. When an escaping slave belonging to the family of Kim Min, the former Gammu of Goryeong, was found in Gimhwa-hyeon of Gangwon, nine former and in-service public officials joined in the process of sending him back to the owner. They had different roles according to their governmental post and succeeded in sending the slave back to the owner. Hence, the division of slaves was done in May, 1398. Ijojeonseo Jeong (鄭), the possessor of the document, received 3口, and the rest were divided according to their contribution. Regarding the way of naming, there was difference as they put only the last name of Gogwan and the first name, too, for Migwan in it, and the former was placed in the back. To introduce this document to academic circles itself is absolutely meaningful as we cannot find any precedent of it. Furthermore, it can be said to have significant value in that the issues of salves at the end of the 14th century can be utilized in research on the social history and also the history of management and control of the time as well.