• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.35-51
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• 2001

Social historical geography is interested in geographical elements related with a social group and perceives the diverse dimensions of a geographical phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to examine and interpret the multi-layers of meanings associated with the ancestral places of lineage group, i.e. Bonkwans(本貫)in Korea with a viewpoint to social historical geography. The term Bonkwan does not appear in any historical records prior to ths 10th century. Thereafter it is used continuoushy by lineage groups or by govermment agents till the 17th century. I believe that during this long-term period Bonkwan assumed multiple geographical meanings which varied from period to period, such as residence place, a place of origin, and a place symbolizing power. Each layer of meaning was the product of a certain period and of a cetain lineage. Its first meaning was produced in the early Koryo kingdom. Its second meaning from late in the same kingdom to the early part of Chosun kingdom. In order to understand the meaning of Bonkwan correctively, we need to see it at a large perspective. That is to say, it needs to be viewed in the framework of immigration study of each lineage because the term is more is moreof a social construct than a fixed notion.