Journal of the Korean Geographical Society ISSN:1225-6633(Print) 대한지리학회지

『入唐求法巡禮行記』 (Ennin’s Diary) written by Japanese Buddhist monk, Ennin (圓仁) in the early 9th century is a diary-style travel writing which is the record of his pilgrimage to China in search of the law. This article aims to introduce the historical facts and personal feelings recorded in it, focusing on the names of people and nature which he had met on his way of a trip to Tang(唐) and Silla(新羅) dynasty. The theme of article is here discussed anthroponyms and toponyms in two separate chapters. In the first chapter titled ‘The People on the Way’, I shortly introduce Ennin’s appearance as a cultural-historical geographer and the academic value of his travel writing, and then present the ordinary life of the Tang people and Silla residents in Tang on which official history did not tell all the particulars. In the second chapter named ‘The Nature along the Way’, I explain some geographical features of Wutaishan (五台山), Huanghe (黃河), Dayunhe (大运河), Tang’s local administrative districts (十五道), Changancheng (长安城), and the lowest administrative districts, Cun (村) in rural area and Fang (坊) in urban area. Finally, I basically analyze the see route and island names in the southwest coast of the Korean Peninsular through which Ennin had returned to his country, Japan. In particular, I identify the historical fact that he and his crew was not able to visit to Cheonghaejin (淸海鎭), the base of Jangbogo fleet force in Wando for political reasons at that time, and try to decide exact location of island names such as Goyi-do (高移島), Gucho-do (丘草嶋), and An-do (鴈嶋) on his homeward journey.