18th-Century Jeju in the Tamna Sullyeokdo: A Window into Island Life
The Tamna Sullyeokdo (탐라순력도) stands as one of the most valuable historical documents depicting 18th-century Jeju Island, offering modern visitors an extraordinary glimpse into the island's past. This remarkable collection of paintings and writings, created during an official inspection tour in 1702, provides unparalleled insights into how Jeju appeared to mainland Korean officials and what daily life was like for the island's inhabitants.
A Royal Commission to Document Island Life
In 1702, during the reign of King Sukjong of the Joseon Dynasty, Inspector Lee Hyeong-sang (이형상) was commissioned to conduct a thorough survey of Tamna (the historical name for Jeju). Unlike typical administrative reports, Lee Hyeong-sang chose to document his findings through detailed paintings accompanied by descriptive texts, creating what would become an invaluable historical treasure.
The Tamna Sullyeokdo consists of 41 paintings that capture everything from official ceremonies and military inspections to everyday scenes of island life, agricultural practices, and natural landscapes. These works provide a comprehensive view of Jeju that no other historical document from this period can match.
Governance and Administration in 18th-Century Jeju
The Unique Administrative Structure
The paintings reveal that 18th-century Jeju operated under a distinctive administrative system that differed significantly from mainland Korea. As a place of exile and strategic importance, the island maintained:
- Moksa (목사): The governor appointed by the central government
- Local magistrates: Managing day-to-day affairs in different regions
- Military commanders: Overseeing coastal defenses and maintaining order
- Village headmen: Connecting central authority with local communities
The Tamna Sullyeokdo shows these officials conducting inspections, reviewing military readiness, and overseeing agricultural production, highlighting the central government's concern with maintaining control over this remote but strategically important island.
Justice and Social Order
Several paintings depict judicial proceedings and the maintenance of social order. The documents show that Jeju operated under Joseon law but with certain local adaptations necessary for island life. The isolation of Jeju meant that local officials had considerable autonomy in day-to-day governance, though major decisions still required approval from the mainland.
Daily Life and Cultural Practices
Agricultural Traditions
The Tamna Sullyeokdo provides fascinating insights into 18th-century Jeju agriculture:
Unique Farming Methods: The paintings show agricultural techniques adapted to Jeju's volcanic soil and windy climate, including the distinctive stone walls (doldam) that protected crops from harsh winds.
Crop Diversity: Unlike the rice-focused agriculture of mainland Korea, Jeju farmers cultivated a variety of crops including barley, millet, sweet potatoes, and various vegetables suited to the island's climate.
Seasonal Rhythms: The documents capture the seasonal nature of island life, from spring planting to autumn harvests, showing how islanders adapted their activities to Jeju's unique weather patterns.
Maritime Culture and the Haenyeo
While the term "haenyeo" (female divers) wasn't yet in common use, the Tamna Sullyeokdo contains some of the earliest visual records of women engaging in diving activities. These paintings show:
- Women gathering seafood from coastal waters
- Traditional diving techniques and equipment
- The important role of marine resources in the island economy
- Early forms of the diving culture that would later become world-famous
Traditional Architecture and Settlement Patterns
The paintings reveal distinctive features of 18th-century Jeju architecture:
Thatched Roof Houses: Most dwellings featured thick thatched roofs designed to withstand strong winds, with walls built from local volcanic stone.
Compound Layouts: Families lived in compounds with multiple buildings serving different functions - main house, storage, animal shelters - all connected by stone walls.
Strategic Positioning: Settlements were typically located in areas protected from prevailing winds, often in valleys or behind natural windbreaks.
Religious and Spiritual Life
Shamanic Traditions
The Tamna Sullyeokdo provides rare visual evidence of Jeju's rich shamanic traditions in the 18th century:
- Gut ceremonies: Paintings show shamanic rituals being performed for various purposes
- Sacred sites: Documentation of specific locations considered spiritually significant
- Seasonal festivals: Community gatherings that combined spiritual and social functions
Buddhism and Confucianism
The documents also show the influence of mainland religious and philosophical traditions:
- Buddhist temples: Several paintings depict temple complexes and religious ceremonies
- Confucian education: Scenes of scholarly activities and educational practices
- Syncretic practices: Evidence of how local shamanic traditions blended with imported religions
Economic Life and Trade
Self-Sufficiency and Trade
The 18th-century Jeju depicted in the Tamna Sullyeokdo was largely self-sufficient but maintained important trade connections:
Local Production: The island produced most of its daily necessities, from food and clothing to tools and household items.
Tribute System: As part of the Joseon kingdom, Jeju was required to send tribute to the mainland, including horses, abalone, and other local specialties.
Limited External Trade: While trade was restricted due to Jeju's status as a place of exile, some exchange occurred with mainland Korea and occasionally with other regions.
Specialized Crafts and Industries
The paintings reveal several specialized industries:
- Horse breeding: Jeju's famous horses were already being raised for the royal court
- Abalone diving: Systematic harvesting of abalone for tribute and local consumption
- Traditional crafts: Weaving, pottery, and woodworking adapted to local materials
Military and Defense
Coastal Fortifications
The Tamna Sullyeokdo documents an extensive system of coastal defenses:
Beacon Towers: A network of signal fires that could quickly communicate across the island and to the mainland.
Fortified Positions: Strategic locations fortified to defend against potential invasions, particularly from Japanese pirates.
Military Inspections: Regular reviews of defensive readiness, showing the central government's concern with island security.
Exile and Control
As a place of political exile, 18th-century Jeju required careful monitoring:
- Exile communities: Paintings show areas where political prisoners lived
- Surveillance systems: Methods for monitoring exiled individuals
- Integration policies: Efforts to incorporate exiles into island society while maintaining control
Natural Environment and Landscape
Documenting Jeju's Unique Geography
The artistic works capture Jeju's distinctive natural features:
Hallasan Mountain: Central to many compositions, showing its importance in island geography and culture.
Coastal Landscapes: Detailed depictions of Jeju's varied coastline, from rocky cliffs to sandy beaches.
Volcanic Features: Documentation of the island's volcanic origins through depictions of lava tubes, crater lakes, and unique rock formations.
Environmental Challenges
The paintings also reveal environmental challenges faced by 18th-century islanders:
- Typhoons and storms: Evidence of how islanders prepared for and dealt with severe weather
- Drought and flooding: Agricultural challenges and adaptation strategies
- Isolation: The difficulties and benefits of island life
Cultural Exchange and Isolation
Mainland Influences
Despite its isolation, 18th-century Jeju showed significant mainland Korean influences:
Language and Literature: Evidence of Korean literary culture and education on the island.
Artistic Traditions: Mainland artistic styles adapted to local subjects and materials.
Administrative Practices: Joseon governmental systems implemented with local modifications.
Unique Island Culture
The Tamna Sullyeokdo also documents distinctly Jeju cultural elements:
- Local dialects: References to unique linguistic features
- Island customs: Practices not found on the mainland
- Adaptive traditions: Cultural innovations developed in response to island conditions
Legacy and Historical Significance
Preserving Island Memory
The Tamna Sullyeokdo serves multiple important functions:
Historical Record: Providing detailed documentation of a specific time and place that might otherwise be lost to history.
Cultural Preservation: Maintaining knowledge of traditional practices and ways of life.
Artistic Achievement: Representing a high point in documentary art and historical illustration.
Modern Relevance
Today, the Tamna Sullyeokdo continues to offer valuable insights:
- Tourism Development: Helping modern visitors understand Jeju's historical depth
- Cultural Identity: Supporting contemporary Jeju people's understanding of their heritage
- Academic Research: Providing primary source material for historians and anthropologists
Visiting Historical Sites Today
Many locations depicted in the Tamna Sullyeokdo can still be visited today:
Jeju National Museum
Houses original copies and detailed reproductions of the Tamna Sullyeokdo paintings, along with artifacts from the same period.
Historical Villages
Several traditional villages maintain architecture and layouts similar to those shown in the 18th-century paintings.
Coastal Fortifications
Remnants of the beacon tower system and coastal defenses can still be found around the island.
Conclusion: A Window into the Past
The Tamna Sullyeokdo represents far more than a historical curiosity—it's a comprehensive portrait of a unique society adapting to the challenges and opportunities of island life. Through its detailed paintings and accompanying texts, we can understand how 18th-century Jeju balanced isolation with connection, tradition with adaptation, and local identity with broader Korean culture.
For modern visitors to Jeju, understanding this historical context enriches every aspect of the island experience. The stone walls that still crisscross the landscape, the traditional architecture preserved in folk villages, and even the contemporary culture of the haenyeo all have roots that can be traced back to the world documented in the Tamna Sullyeokdo.
This remarkable historical document reminds us that Jeju's appeal lies not just in its natural beauty, but in its deep cultural heritage—a heritage that has been carefully preserved and documented for over three centuries, waiting for each new generation to discover and appreciate.
The Tamna Sullyeokdo is housed in the National Museum of Korea and Jeju National Museum, with high-quality reproductions available for public viewing. Digital versions of many paintings are also available online for those interested in exploring this fascinating historical document in detail.