『樂學軌範』의 布帛尺 硏究

A Study of the Pobaekcheok of Akhakgwebeom

This paper examines the types and the lengths of the rulers during the early Joseon period, focusing on the length of pobaekcheok (cheok means a ruler) that is discussed in Akhakgwebeom. First, a ruler might be created privately, but it was usually created by the royal court. During the early Joseon period, based on the hwangjongcheok, the standard measure, jucheok, pobaekcheok, joyegicheok, and yeongjocheok were rectified. Hwangjongcheok was rectified in King Sejong 15. Jucheok was rectified based on the standard hwangjongcheok (or the official measure) and was related to the introduction of Confucius theory of the Song Dynasty (jujahak) in the late Goryeo period. It was rectified in Sejong 19. Yeongjocheok was rectified a little later in Sejong 28. Thus, the different kinds of rulers were rectified during the Sejong period. Hwangjongcheok is approximately 34.4cm±; jucheok, 20.62cm±; yeongjocheok, 30.8cm±; and yegicheok, 28.63cm±. Jucheok and yeongjocheok were widely used as the measure for yangjeoncheok and constructing structures and houses. Especially, yeongjocheok was used for creating musical instruments of Akhakgwebeom. The use of rulers was inseparably related to the social and economic situations of the early Joseon period. Second, pobaekcheok was usually used for collecting linen of the court and making clothes. It was widely used before Sejong 13, but because of the differences in length, confusions occurred. Therefore, in Sejong 13, it was rectified and widely distributed. Because pobaekcheok was not rectified when Akhakgwebeom was compiled, the pobaekcheok of Akhakgwebeom can be regarded as that rectified during the Sejong period. Presently, the pobaekcheok rectified in Sejong 13 does not exist. Examining the sketch of pobaekcheok of the early Joseon period and a pobaekcheok considered to have been made in the late Joseon period, one can assume that the pobaekcheok of the early Joseon period was approximately 46.66cm±. Thus, the pobaekcheok of Akhakgwebeom was approximately 46.66cm± and was used for making clothes.