This paper analyzes the military changes centered on firearms that occurred in Joseon from the late 16th to the early 17th century and the historical significance of Han Hyo-sun's military manual, Singi-bigyeol. The Imjin War(Japanese invasions of Joseon) was a large-scale conflict where military science and technology were exchanged across East Asia, and gunpowder weapons were used extensively for the first time. During the war, the superiority of firepower emerged as a key factor in determining victory or defeat, leading to a “Military Revolution” that transformed the entire military system, including tactics, logistics, and institutions.
The specific details of this transformation include, first, the development of personal firearms. In the mid-16th century, during the process of responding to the Jurchen tribes, the “Seungja-chongtong” (Victory Hand Cannon) was developed to fire iron rounds. Later, it was refined into various forms to improve range and accuracy. During the Imjin War, the Japanese Arquebus was introduced, changing the course of the war. In response, Joseon focused on replicating these weapons and training specialized musketeers (Posu).
Furthermore, new large-scale firearms were developed and introduced. Through the Ming Dynasty army, new artillery pieces such as the “Bullangi” (Breech-loading swivel gun) and “Hojunpo” (Crouching Tiger Cannon) were introduced. The Bullangi was a breech-loading cannon capable of rapid fire, while the Hojunpo was lightweight and convenient for field operations.
Traditional firearms also underwent changes; based on combat experience, large cannons like the “Cheonja-chongtong” were modified with longer barrels and smaller calibers to increase accuracy. Han Hyo-sun’s Singi-bigyeol serves as a crucial record that systematized these advancements and established a standardized doctrine for the use of firearms in the post-war era.