Preliminary Views on Yanxinglu Studies

“Yanxinglu studies” is a field of study dedicated to the research of Yanxinglu (Kor: Yŏnhaengnok), the travel records of Korean diplomatic envoys to China during the Koryŏ and Chosŏn periods. Yanxinglu should be distinguished from travel records of a more general nature and can be further classified as follows: Yanxinglu writings in a broad or a narrow sense; and Yanxinglu writings with a single or multiple titles. This article investigates a number of pertinent questions such as the concept of Yanxinglu itself, the titles of individual travel accounts, the creation and periodization of Yanxinglu writings, the collection and compilation of primary sources and their translation, the creation of databases, and the search for suitable research methods. This analysis shows that it is time to establish “Yanxinglu studies” as an independent field of study in China and to create a scholarly society to guide and coordinate future research efforts.