조선후기 기우제등록 의 청계천･한강 수표(水標) 기상기록 연구 = A Study of Water Mark Meteorological Records of in the Late Joseon: Sourced from Comprehensive Records of Ritual for Rain

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study explores a historical account of meteorological records sourced from the Comprehensive Records of Ritual for Rain(Kiwooje-dunglok), where the entire water mark record, totaling 1,810 events, was extracted and quantified. The Records examined the changing trend of rainfall in the Seoul area for 254 years(1636~1889) in late Joseon. The water mark(Soopyo), a system to measure the strength of rainfall in the region of Seoul, was first established under King Sejong’s rule in 1441. The system consisted of two posts: Cheonggye Stream Water Mark and Han River Water Mark. Gradations were engraved on the water mark posts to record the water flow level. While no records from early Joseon were found, this paper sheds light on the existence of the late Joseon water mark system, maintained with the persistent efforts of three clerks.
Two recorded the stream water mark and recorded the Han River water mark, totaling 715 records. These, combined with the additional 60 records from the Diary of the Royal Secretariat, amounted to a total of 775 records, consisting of 668 stream water marks and 107 river water mark records. The 200 years (1633~1832) of stream water mark records revealed the following significant features: First, the period is divided into four parts based on the recording styles: 1) The parallel recording of the central region and the southern region period for 65 years(1633~1697); 2) The central region clerk in charge for 58 years (1697~1760); 3) The water mark clerk in charge for 73 years(1760~1832); and 4) The pluviometer(Chukwookee) reinstalment period for 58 years(1832~1889).
Second, an analysis of the frequency of recording showed the two highest-frequency periods of 40 years(1680~1719) during the King Sukjong era and 30 years(1750~1779) during the King Youngjo era. This revealed that the highest rainfall occurred in the 40 years of the King Sukjong era(17~18c) and the second highest in the 30 years of the King Youngjo era(late 18c). Devoid of the pluviometer at that time, the records uniquely provided this information. Therefore, they have become extremely valuable in meteorological history. During the King Sukjong’s era, the yearly average of the water mark values turned out to be 944.45cm, which is twice larger than 505.24cm, the yearly average of the 200years(1633~1832). This indicates that there were heavy rainfalls during the peak period. The 15 selected years, which had higher than average rainfall, were suspected to have experienced flood damage. Future research on the correlation between meteorological and social changes is required.
Third, according to an analysis of the 143 years(1636~1778) of the Han River water mark records, the highest water level occurred during the 44 years of King Sukjong’s era(1679~1722) and the 22 years of the King Youngjo era(1757~1778). The Han River records complemented stream water records. 16 years were selected as having higher than the average water level of the Han River during the 44 years of King Sukjong era and were considered as years with overflow and floods. However, they did not match the years selected based on the stream water. This explains why the stream water mark contained the rainfall issue centered on Seoul, while the Han River water mark contained heavy rain in the upper Han.
Fourth, the Comprehensive Records of Ritual for Rain describe the details of King Youngjo’s reinstalment of the pluviometer. The king, was worried about the people and monitored the water mark, realized King Sejong’s pluviometer (Chukwookee) was an excellent scientific tool and immediately revived it.
Conclusively, King Youngjo’s revival of the pluviometer(Chukwookee) was not accidental but an indispensable scientific achievement, as a result of the long-term endeavor of maintaining the water mark operation and management. In this respect, the significance of water mark records should be noted in the history of meteorology. Research-based on the multilateral re...