변효문 卞孝文
Early Joseon official who took part in compiling Sinju murwollok and the Orye uiju and led the 1443 envoy mission to Japan; founder of the Jehakgong sub-branch (courtesy name Ilmin)
| Life | 1396 ~ 1461 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 초계 변씨 |
Life & career
Byeon Hyo-mun (卞孝文, 1396-?) was an early Joseon civil official of the Chogye Byeon, with courtesy name Ilmin (一敏) and original name Byeon Gye-mun. He was a son of Byeon Nam-ryong, mayor of Hanseong, and a grandson of Byeon Bin, counted among the Seventy-two Worthies of Dumundong; his maternal grandfather was Yeom Je-sin. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says his death year is unknown, while Korean Wikipedia gives 20 April 1461, so sources differ.
He passed the Aljeong civil examination in 1414 (Taejong 14) in the eulgwa class, third place, and served as jikjehak (a senior scholar-official post). Under King Sejong he held offices such as junior director of the Bongsangsi, head of the Naeseomsi and Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council before becoming mayor of Gyeongchang and then Jeonju. In 1438 he compiled the forensic manual Sinju murwollok with Choe Chi-un and others, and in 1444 took part in settling the Orye uiju ritual code. Korean Wikipedia adds that he also took part in compiling the farming manual Nongsa jikseol in 1429.
In 1443 he went to Japan as chief envoy of the Joseon mission, and the trade agreement made with the lord of Tsushima on the return journey is known as the Gyehae Agreement. His career was not smooth: he was impeached several times over matters at Hoeryeong, the staff he took to Japan and a request on behalf of his son's military examination, and in 1458 he was dismissed from the Jeonju post for amassing property. His descendants honor him as founder of the Jehakgong sub-branch.
Family and Examination
He came from a line running from his great-grandfather Byeon Gyeong and grandfather Byeon Bin to his father Byeon Nam-ryong. He passed the Aljeong civil examination in 1414 in the eulgwa class, third place. His mother, of the Paju Yeom, is recorded as a daughter of Yeom Je-sin.
Forensic and Ritual Compilations
In 1438 he compiled, with Choe Chi-un, Yi Se-hyeong, Gim Hwang and others, the Sinju murwollok, which adds commentary and pronunciation glosses to Wang Yu's Yuan-dynasty forensic work Wuyuan lu. In 1444 he took part in settling the Orye uiju ritual code. Korean Wikipedia also says he helped produce the farming manual Nongsa jikseol with Jeong Cho in 1429, but the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture entry does not mention this, so accounts differ.
The 1443 Envoy Mission and the Gyehae Agreement
Appointed Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council in 1440, he led the 1443 mission to Japan as chief envoy, and the trade agreement reached with the lord of Tsushima on the return journey is known as the Gyehae Agreement. He was impeached again for taking Yi In-hyu with him as a member of his staff.
Impeachments and Later Years
In 1441, as Hoeryeong daehu, he was impeached and dismissed over clothing issued to naturalized Jurchen; in 1447, as training commissioner, he was exiled to Jikcheon after allegedly seeking favors for his son's military examination. After serving as vice director of the Privy Council in 1454 he became mayor of Gyeongju and Jeonju, where Korean Wikipedia says he wrote Wansan byeolgok. In 1458 he was dismissed from the Jeonju post for amassing property illegally.
Grave
The head association lists a spirit-way stele of Byeon Hyo-mun among its sites; the exact locations of his tomb and stele were not confirmed here.
Descendants
His sons included Byeon Gyun, Byeon Sim and Byeon Heum; his great-grandson was Byeon Hyeong-ryang, killed in the Gapja purge, and his sixth-generation descendant was the royal secretary Byeon Si-ik. His younger brother was Byeon Hyo-gyeong.