Korean History Midterm Review Sheet
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Korean History Midterm Review Sheet 10/13/13 8:33 PM
Basic Chronology of Korean History:
???àca. 5,000 BCE Paleolithic culture
Ca. 5,000-500 BCE Neolithic: Chulmun ‘comb-mark’ pottery
Ca. 500 BCE- Bronze culture/Mumun ‘no-mark’ pottery
Ca. 5th c. BCE- Iron culture
Ca. 190-108 BCE Wiman Choson/Weiman Chaoxian
108 BCE Han invades & establishes commanderiesà313 CE
c. 1st BCE-3rd CE ‘THREE HAN’ peoples in southern peninsula
4th c. CE-670 ‘THREE KINGDOMS': Koguryo, Paekche, Silla
660CE Silla-Tang alliance defeats Paekche
668CE Silla-Tang alliance defeats Koguryo
668-935 Unified Silla
918-1392 Koryo kingdom
1392-1910 Choson dynasty
1897-1910 Greater Han Empire
1910-1945 Colonial period
1945-present Korea divided at 38th parallel
PEOPLE
Tan’gun:
2333 BCE
“Old Chosŏn”
Tan’gun Mythà divine origin strengthens/validates leadership
o Shows that Tan-gun served as both a religious and political
ruler and his divine origins enhanced the dignity and authority
of his political leadership
Source of spiritual comfort in times of crisis
*Taejonggyo (Religion of Tan’gun Worshippers) founded in 1909
King Kwanggaet’o of Koguryo:
Koguryŏ’s expansion (5th C, 399-493)
Responsible for conquering Manchuria
o Led to Silla & Paekche alliance to combat growing Koguryo
Legacy: expanding Koguryo territory to include that lost to Paekche
before and Manchuria
Choe Chiwon:
a noted Korean Confucian official, philosopher, and poet of the
late Unified Silla period
He studied for many years in Tang China, passed the Tang imperial
examination, and rose to high office there before returning to Silla,
where he made ultimately futile attempts to reform the
governmental apparatus of a declining Silla state
He was of "head rank six" class and as a member of head rank six,
Choe was restricted in the level of office he could attain
One outlet advance beyond the traditional confines of the Silla
social-political order was to become a Buddhist monk and another
was to take up the study of Confucianism.
When Choe was twelve years of age, in 869, his father sent him to
study in Tang, seeing him off with the admonition that if he did not
pass the Chinese imperial examination within ten years he would
cease to be his son
In 894 Choe submitted to Silla's Queen Jinseong(r. 887-897) his "Ten
Urgent Points of Reform" for the Silla but it fell upon deaf ears
The bone-rank system prevented him from attaining political
momentum and enacting the reforms he sought for Silla upon his
return from China
Chang Pogo:
Rose to prominence in Korea in the late Unified Silla period as a
powerful maritime figure who for several decades effectively
controlled the West Sea (Yellow Sea) and Korean coast between
southwestern Korea and China's Shandong peninsula
Silla subjects living in Tang had become a favored target of bandits,
who sold their captives into slavery
Commissioned by the king to head a garrison and army to combat
attacks on Koreans
ang proved instrumental in the seizure of power by Silla's King
Sinmu following the overthrow of King Minae. Kim Ujing (later King
Sinmu) approached Jang for help in taking the throne from the
usurper who had killed Ujing‘s father
So influential a figure did Jang become in late Silla politics that he
was granted official office as Maritime Commissioner of
the Cheonghaejin and came near to marrying his daughter into the
Silla Royal House before his assassination in 846. He was
worshipped as a god following his death.
Wang Kon:
was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the
10th to the 14th century
He promoted Buddhism as Goryeo's national religion, and called for
the reconquest of the northern parts of Korea and Manchuria, which
were controlled by Balhae
Unified the later three kingdoms
o Wang Gon's unification in 936 was a more complete
unification the people of the Korean Peninsula thereafter
remained under a single, unified state (even changing
dynasties, to the Joseon Dynasty
Taejo sought to bring even his enemies into his ruling coalition. He
gave titles and land to rulers and nobles from the various countries
he had defeated
Ten Injunctions
King Kwangjong:
The fourth king of Goryeo. He was known for squashing his political
rivals and creating an atmosphere of fear within the political realm
at the time
The focus of his reform was strengthening the power of King. He
started to drive out powerful clans from the Goryeo court.
He brought Ssang Gi and naturalized people from China into his
court and started aggressive reforms.
He made the law of emancipating slaves 958, and the national civil
service examination in 958
o the national civil service examination helped the Goryeo court
furnish new faces and expel people of powerful clans.
Powerful clans were unhappy because of his aggressive attitude and
reforms. They perceived that they would be purged by him
intuitively. Finally, some of them had the intention to revolt.
However, they were killed by him before the revolt. Typical
examples of the executed were Prince Heunghwa and Prince
Gyeongchunwon
Choe Sungno 927-989:
Detailed reform proposal
Centralized bureaucracy
Confucian kingly rule
o An anti-Buddhist?
o Separation of religion from government
Slavery?? Sumptuary regulations?
o only a partial modification
Yi Che-hyon:
Korean painter, connoisseur, scholar and statesman.
In 1301 he won first place in the state examination and thereafter
his official career took him steadily to the post, in 1356, of Chief
Minister of the Chancellery for State Affairs
Active in the Koryo period (918-1392), he served five sovereigns
during his years in office and made many trips to Yanjing and to
Dadu, the capital of the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), on behalf of his
country.
After King Ch'ungson (reg 1308-13), who spent more time in Yanjing
than in the Koryo capital of Songdo, had built the Man'gwondang
(Hall of Ten Thousand Volumes) in Yanjing, Yi Che-hyon was called
to China in 1314.
Yi Che-hyon is credited with having brought Zhao Mengfu's
calligraphic style to Korea, where it remained popular until the 16th
century
Neo-Confucian reformer
Reform proposal –restoring civilian rule
Criticizing Buddhism
Transferred authority to civil agencies
Kim Pusik:
Wrote Samguk Sagi which is also known as “The History of the
Three Kingdoms of Korea”
o played a very important role in providing information of early
life of Koreans and also the norm of the society, in the ancient
period of the three divided countries of Chosun
Yi Songgye:
Pro-Yuan vs. anti-Yuan
Founding of Ming dynasty (1368): stick with Mongols, or go with
Ming?
Japanese WAKO pirates
The rise of YI Sŏnggye:
successful campaigns against Wako raids
Return of Yi’s troop in 1388 [Wihwa Island]
Establishment of Choson dynasty in 1392
Capital at Hanyang (Seoul) in 1395
Chong To-jon:
First meeting between General YI Sŏnggye and CHŎNG Tojŏn in
1383: an alliance of mutual convenience
General Yi’s overthrow of the Koryŏ ruling order in 1388
Establishment of Chosŏn dynasty in 1392
The most influential figure in establishing the fundamental contours
of early Chosŏn government and society
Death of CHŎNG and YI Pangwŏn (King Taejong, r. 1400-18)
King Sejong:
the fourth king of Joseon
Sejong reinforced Confucian policies and executed major legal
amendments
He also oversaw the creation of Hangul, encouraged advancements of
scientific technology, and instituted many other efforts to stabilize and
improve prosperity
He dispatched military campaigns to the north and installed Samin
Policy to attract new settlers to the region.
To the south, he subjugated Japanese raiders and captured Tsushima
Island
Taejong’s consolidating of power of the monarchy by eliminating
political opponents such as government ministers who had contributed
to the founding of Joseon provided Sejong with unchallenged political
authority during his reign.
revolutionized government by appointing people throughout different
social classes to civil servants. Furthermore, he performed official
government events according to Confucianism, and he encouraged
people to behave according to Confucianism. As a result, Confucianism
became social norm. He also published some books about
Confucianism.
At first, he suppressed Buddhism, but he alleviated his action by
building temples and accepting Buddhism by making a test to become
a monk
Supported the advancement of Korean military technology,
including cannon development, gunpowder use, etc.
Gihae Eastern Expedition: the ultimate goal of this military expedition
to remove the nuisance of Japanese pirates who had been operating
out of Tsushima Island.
During the expedition, 245 Japanese were killed, and another
110 were captured in combat, while 180 Korean soldiers were
killed. 146 Chinese and 8 Korean kidnapped were liberated by
this expedition.
In September 1419 a truce was made and the Korean army
returned to Korea, but the Treaty of Gyehae was signed in 1443,
in which the Daimyo of Tsushima promised to pay tribute to the
King of Joseon; in return, the Joseon court rewarded the Sō clan
with preferential rights regarding trade between Japan and
Korea.
In 1433, Sejong sent Kim Jongseo , a prominent general, north to
destroy the Manchu. Kim's military campaign captured several castles,
pushed north, and restored Korean territory, to the Songhua River
helped farmers so he decided to create a farmer's handbook: Nongsa
jikseol
contained information about the different farming techniques
that he told scientists to gather in different regions of Korea.
These techniques were needed in order to maintain the newly-
adopted methods of intensive, continuous cultivation in Korean
agriculture
Jang Yeong-sil became known as a prominent inventor but was at
the bottom of the social class.
Sejong instead believed Jang merited support because of his ability.
Jang created new significant designs for water clocks, armillary
spheres, sundials, and rain gauge
Had his astronomers create a calendar with the Korean capital
of Seoul as the primary meridian and this new system allowed
Korean astronomers to accurately predict the timing of solar and
lunar eclipses
Two important treatises were written during the reign of Sejong.
o Hyangyak jipseongbang and Euibang yuchwi,
o Historian Kim Yongsik says they represent 'Koreans' efforts to
develop their own system of medical knowledge, distinct from
that of China.
Sejong depended on the agricultural produce of Joseon's farmers, so
he allowed them to pay more or less tax according to fluctuations of
economic prosperity or hard times
Once the palace had a significant surplus of food, King Sejong then
distributed food to poor peasants or farmers who needed it
He composed the famous Yongbi Eocheon Ga ("Songs of Flying
Dragons", 1445), Seokbo Sangjeol ("Episodes from the Life of
Buddha", July 1447), Worin Cheon-gang Jigok ("Songs of the Moon
Shining on a Thousand Rivers", July 1447), and the
reference Dongguk Jeong-un ("Dictionary of Proper Sino-Korean
Pronunciation", September 1447).
established the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon) at
the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It consisted of scholars selected by the
king.
HISTORY
Old Choson:
2333 BC-108 BC
Tangun origin Myth/Legend
Old Joseon combined with other town-states to form a single large
confederation
Coincided with the Iron Age
o Iron culture led to increased food production
o Emergence of stratified societyà rich vs. poor
o Increased outputs were monopolized by the ruling class which
increased the gap between the rich and the poor
o Introduction of sophisticated iron tools
o Indication of a separate elite ruling class
Wiman Choson:
190-108 BCE
Old Joseon entered decline after pressure from Yen China and was
made into a commandery under the Yen
Ensuing century it fell under domain of various Chinese dynasties
Resulting confusion and instability led to refugee populations to
migrate
Wiman, a Chinese refugee emerged as a leader and took control of
Old Joseon in a coup, usurping King Jun
Bore heavy Chinese influence politically, economically, and socially
Still maintained heavy Old Joseon influences
Expanded territory due to economic/military strength
Sought to play intermediary role in trade b/w Han China
Wiman’s growth in power provoked invasion by Han Dynasty
Internal dissension/defections led to weakening/defeat of Wiman
Joseon
Led to formation of Chinese Commandaries
Han Commendaries:
After fall of Wiman Joseon Chinese established 4 commandaries on
the Korean peninsula:
o Lelang (Nangnang) - based at P’yongyang
o Lintun (Imdun) – abolished in 82BC
o Zhenfan (Chinbon) – abolished in 82BC
o Xuantu (Hyondo) –moved to NW of Koguryo in 75BC
Lelang:
o Core area in which Chinese colonial policy in Korea was
carried out
o Chinese exercised a certain degree of control wile permitting
political freedom to people they ruled
o Old Joseon society became eroded
o Chinese culture was absorbed while maintaining political
independence which allowed native societies to thrive and
survive
o Colonial interpretation
o North Korean denial
o Native states’ resistances
o Emphasis on native ability to embrace advanced culture
The Three Kingdoms
Developmental Stages:
o Incorporating/conquering small states
o Aristocratic central officials—subjugating local lords to central
authority
o Strong Kingship via marriage system
Father-son succession
o Formal diplomatic relationship with states in China
Military confrontation
Taking advantage of the conflict within China
Ardent adoption of Chinese culture and institution
o Territory expansion through conquest and compilation of
history
o Bureaucratic institutions, writing system, literary culture, laws
o Territory expansion through conquest and compilation of
history
o Buddhism: political purpose through spiritual unification
Koguryo State Formation (37 BC-668 CE):
o Interaction with the Han commandery Xuantu
Tax and corvee system
o Social arrangement: top-down, centralized leadership,
hierarchical
o Koguryŏ’s seizure of Xuantu commandery
o Right to throne was secured by a single royal house
o Many measures taken to strengthen kingly authority and
centralized governmental structure
o Succession to throne was father to son, queens came from
one aristocratic house
o Invasion from Paekchae led Koguryo to reshape the pattern of
institutions
o King Sosurim (371-384) adopted Buddhism and established a
National Confucian Academy in 372 and instituted a code of
administrative law in 373
o These reforms made external expansion possible
o King Kwanggaet’o (391-413) claimed the Liao-tung region,
Manchuria, parts of Paekchae, and crushed Wa forces
o Kwanggaet’o succeeded by son Chansu (413-491)
o Held china in check by maintaining ties with oth the
northern/southern dynasties
o Moved Koguryo capital to P’yongyang
o In 475 Koguryo seized Paekche capital at Hansong and
beheaded the king
o Supremacy battle with China
Paekche
o Developed out of a walled town state in Mahan Area
o Led my King Koi to consolidate centralized authority
o King Kun Cho’go (346-375)
“warrior king”
Killsed the Koguryo King, Kogugwon, and seized large
portion of Korean peninsula
Father to son succession, kings could choose their wives
from a single aristocratic house
o King Ch’ogo commanded Kohung to compile the Sogi, a
historical compilation to legitimize and chronicle his newly
expanded authority and territory
o Ch’ogo’s grandson adopted Buddhism as the state religion in
384
Silla:
o Evolved out of the walled town state of Saro
o Royal house monopolized by King Naemul’s Kim house
o Enlisted help of Koguryo to combat Paekche/Wa forces
o Difficulties with outside enemies hindered internal
developments
o Later on post stations were developed, markets, etc.
o Pressure exerted on frontiers by Koguryo so Silla formed
alliance with Paekche in 433à carried out joint military
excursions
o Under King Chijun (500-514) development of agricultural
technology led to increase in food production
o King Pophung promulgated a code of administrative law (17
grade office rank structure and instituted bone rank system
o Adoption of Buddhism as the state religion in 535 provided an
ideological underpinning for national unity and solidarity in
the newly centralized state
o Silla pursued territorial conquests and succeeded in gaining
Han river area and the Naktong river basin under king
Chinhung
o Paekche was betrayed by Silla when Silla claimed the Han
river basin for themselves
Bone Rank System:
Tightly defined aristocracy
o Holy Bones: dominating the throne until the early 7th century
o True Bones
Hwarang:
An elite group of male youth in Silla, an ancient Korean kingdom
that lasted until the 10th century
Mainly focused on Buddhist teachings
The establishment of Hwarang took place in the context of
tightening central state control, a complement to
the golpum system and a symbol of harmony and compromise
between the king and the aristocracy
Silla’s Unification:
Centralized bureaucracy
o General Bureau of Administration (Chipsabu)
o Ministries of personnel, revenue, rites, royal household affairs,
the left ministry of justice , and the right, and ministry of
public works
o Local Administration
o Land: “national” ownership of land
o Village level administration: Census register (755)
o Promoting Confucian and Buddhist teachings
o Ch’oe Ch’iwŏn (857-?) and rigidity of the Silla Social
hierarchy
Head Rank Six
o Distinct Silla culture
Royal marriage system
Silla Kings from Kim family; Queen’s from Pak family
The cross-cousin marriage
o Powerful aristocrats
strict sumptuary regulations
Silla’s Decline:
o Political instability
o Reemergence of Sangdaedŭng power
o Dissatisfaction among the Head Rank Six group
o Growth of independent economic/military power
o Draining of state revenue
o The rise of local power
Chang Pogo (d. 846)’s Wan Island
o Local rebellions
The fall of Tang in 907
Heavy tax burden
Limited centralization and growth of local power-holders
Parhae:
Founder: Tae Choyŏng
Expanding territory
in à Parhae (in 706)
Parhae’s status Korean historiography
Research on Parhae history
Nationalists in 20th C
North Korea
South Korea
Continuation of Koguryŏ? Or multiethinc dynasty?
Later Three Kingdoms Period
900: Later Paekche Dynasty (Kyǒn Hwǒn)
901: Later Koguryǒ Dynasty (Kyungye)
918: Koryo Dynasty (WANG Kǒn) capital at Kaes ǒ ng
935: End of Silla
936: WANG Kǒn destroys ‘Later Paekche’
Leads to the formation of Koryo
Koryo:
Early Koryo Society:
o The pon’gwan aristocracy
e.g. Kyǒngju KIM
o Hereditary slavery
reached 30 % of the population by the 12th century
Koryǒ a slave society?
Social hierarchy
o The royal clan
o The elite -> yangban (two orders: the civil officials and
military officials)
o Lower officials & regional clerks
o The commoners
o Slaves
King Kwangjong’s Reforms:
o Slave Investigation Act 956
o Military Reforms
o Civil service examination system (958)
local aristocrats to enter central bureaucracy
broader elite structure
o Central government: three departments and six boards
o Local administration –Prefecture/County system
o Centralized school system - King Sŏngjong (992)
Family, kinship groups & the role of women
o Uxorilocal marriage <-> patrilocal
o Inheritance rights -> OK!
o Divorce -> OK!
o Wife’s family Co Cross marriage between cousins
Aristocratic politics, 11th and 12th Centuries
o Powerful clans and lineages
o Kyǒngju CH’OE, Haeju CH’OE, Kyǒngwǒn YI
o The Myoch’ŏng Rebellion in 1135
o Myoch’ŏng? A Buddhist monk, anti-Confucianist
o Western Capital ßà Capital Kaegyŏng
o Myoch’ŏng challenged:
o 1)Aristocratic power in the capital
o 2)Tributary relationship with foreign power
o 3)Politics of Confucians
o Geomancy and the Western capital
o The Rebellion
o Kim Pusik and the end of the rebellion in 1136
Mongol Conquest of Koryo:
o Northern expansion policy
o Constant conflict with northern tribes
Khitan’s Liao dynasty (907-1119)
First expedition in 993—SŎ Hui’s diplomatic
victory
Second invasion in1010; Third invasion in 1018—
The Great Victory by KANG Kamch’an
Long walls (1033-44)
o Jurchen’s Chin dynasty (1115-1234)
Special military force
YUN Kwan and nine fortifications in NE region
Koryŏ’s relation with Sung China
o Koryŏ diplomacy: Balance of power and shifting allegiance
Military Coup d’etat in 1170
King Ŭijong (r. 1146-70): bureaucratic corruption, domestic
rebellions, piracy, neglect of business
The Decline and fall of Civilian Rule
o Civil contempt for military officials
o Military Coup d’état in 1170
Military Rule 1170-1259
o military take over of the civil government
o turning point in Koryǒ history
o New military leadership/ new order
The Myochong Rebellion
The Choe family regime (1196)
CH’OE Ch’unghǒn -> U -> Hang -> Ŭi
o Endless turmoil:
Slave uprisings, popular rebellions
Mongol invasions
o Reform efforts
The Supreme Agency -> military headquarter
Tax-collecting agents
Civil service examinations/ supports for scholars &
literary activities
The Mongol invasion:
Mongol invasion, 1231
o Chinggis Khan (1167-1127)—Yuan dynasty (1206-1368)
o Surrender or resist??
o Evacuation of capital to Kanghwa Island
Second invasion, 1234
o Collapse of the Ch’OE family
o The end of the invasion,1259
o Return to the capital, 1270
Mongol Rule over Koryo:
o Indirect government administration
o Marriage tie to Yuan imperial family
The Mongol Invasions to Japan
o First attempt, 1274
o Second attempt, 1281
o “Kamikaze (divine winds)”
o A third attempt?
King Kongmin (r. 1351-74)’s reform
o NO pro-Mongol aristocrats, military officials
o Land reform
o Introduction of the Neo-Confucianism by AN Hyang (1286)
o Zhu Xi’s teaching as a subject for study
o King Kongmin’s support—National Academy
YI Chehyǒn (1287-1367)
o Neo-Confucian reformer
o Reform proposal –restoring civilian rule
o Criticizing Buddhism
o Transferred authority to civil agencies
Koryo-Joseon Dynastic Change: Social Revolution?
YI Sŏnggye (1335-1408): Dynastic Founder
o A military leader in the Koryŏ dynasty, he rose through the
ranks by battling invading forces.
o He defeated his rivals and drove out the last king of the Koryŏ
dynasty, taking the throne in 1392.
o He established his capital at Hanyang (now Seoul).
o He and his successors redistributed land, which had been
concentrated in the hands of a few high-ranking bureaucrats,
throughout the various levels of officialdom.
o In a break with the past, he made Neo-Confucianism the
state religion, replacing Buddhism.
o Farming was made the center of the economy.
o In foreign relations, he maintained a close relationship with
China’s Ming dynasty
Chong Tojon (1337-98)
o Instrumental in establishing early Joseon government/society
o Korean Neo-Confucian scholar who helped to overthrow the
Koryŏ kingdom (918–1392 ce) and establish the Chosŏn
kingdom (1392–1910).
o He was of a nonaristocratic family and promoted Confucian
learning and the rise of the bureaucratic class.
o With the fall of the Koryo patronage of Buddhism and the rise
of the Chosŏn kingdom, he championed a sweeping reform of
education and government along Neo-Confucian lines.
o Related to these reforms were his polemical writings
against Buddhism, Daoism, and other traditional shamanistic
practices.
o Adhering to an exclusive Neo-Confucian political ideology and
philosophical metaphysics, he condemned Buddhism and
Daoism as being inherently antithetical to public-spirited
service.
Yi SonggyeàTaejo
o Sons/Succession
Chŏngjong (r. 1398-1400)—2nd son of Queen Han;
voluntary abdication
T’aejong (YI Pangwŏn; r. 1400-18)—5th son of Queen
Han
Prince Pangsok –2nd son of Lady Kang; killed by Pangwŏn
o The First Strife of Princes
o “Hamhŭgch’asa”: he came in - he never come back
Dynastic Change a Social Revolution or Renaissance?
o Confucianism’s impact on Korean history; location of
“legitimate” Korean tradition; flow of premodern Korean
history
o Confucian renaissance – the primacy of ideology in driving the
events
o A revolutionary moment –driven by material changes and
socioeconomic imperatives
Duncan’s argument
Neither a social nor an ideological revolution—a historical moment
limited in significance to the realm of politics
OTHERS
Three B’s:
Brush: Writing system, literary culture, territory expansion through
conquest and compilation of history
Buddhism: Political purpose through spiritual unification
Bureaucracy: Bureaucratic institutions, Laws
Buddhism:
Buddhism: political purpose through spiritual unification
Cohesive, legitimating, and integrating forces
Syncretism
Charismatic individuals: growth and development
Spiritual protection
State’s control of Buddhist religious community
o State’s control its populace via Buddhism
Economically powerful monasteries
Monks’ engagement in various businesses
Amicably coexistied with Confucianism
Mahayana Buddhism:
o GREATER VEHICLE (Mahayana)
o Based on texts (SUTRAS) recounting the preaching of the
historical Buddha
o Originally in Sanskrit & other Indian or Central Asian
languages; ‘TRANSLATION‘
o Infinite number of Buddhas & universes
o Prior condition or phenomenon
o KARMA
o Corporeal existence and countless previous lives
o Seeking escape from the endless cycle of rebirth and re-death
o Attaining 'enlightenment’: 'Zen'
Being 'saved' by a buddha or other enlightened being:
'Pure Land
Koguryo mural painting:
The tombs, many with beautiful wall paintings, are almost the only
remains of this culture.
Almost half of these tombs are located on this site and they are
thought to have been made for the burial of kings, members of the
royal family and the aristocracy. These paintings offer a unique
testimony to daily life of this period.
The Complex of Koguryo Tombs represents an exceptional
testimony to the Koguryo culture, its burial customs, daily life and
beliefs. The special burial customs of this culture had an important
influence on other cultures in the region, including those of Japan.
Ten injunctions (934 CE):
powerful influence throughout the dynasty
Injection 1:
o The success of every great undertaking of our state depends
upon the favor and protection of Buddha. Therefore, the
temples of both Meditation and Doctrinal schools should be
built and monks should be sent out to those temples to
minister to Buddha…
Injection 2:
o Temples and monasteries were newly opened and built upon
the sites chose by the monk Tosǒn according to the principles
of geomancy. He said: “If temples and monasteries are
indiscriminately built at locations not chosen by me, the
terrestrial force and energy will be sapped and damaged,
hastening the decline of the dynasty...”
Injunction 4:
o In the past, we have always had a deep attachment for the
ways of China and all of our institutions have been modeled
upon those of T’ang. But out country occupies a different
geographical location and our people’s character is different
from that of the Chinese. Hence, there is no reason to strain
ourselves unreasonably to occupy the Chinese way…
Injunction 8:
o The topographical features of the territory south of Kongju
and beyond the Kongju River are all treacherous and
disharmonious; its inhabitants are treacherous and
disharmonious as well. For that reason, if they are allowed to
participate in the affairs of state, to intermarry with the royal
family, aristocracy, and royal relatives, and to take the power
of the state, they might imperil the state or injure the royal
safety—grudging the loss of their own state [which used to be
the kingdom of Paekche] and being resentful of the
unification….
Historical Records of the Three Kingdoms (Samguk Sagi)
by KIM Pusik (1075-1151)
priority of Silla over Paekche and Koguryǒ
Confucian, didactic
a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of
Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The Samguk Sagi is written
in Classical Chinese (the written language of the literati in
traditional Korea) and its compilation was ordered by Goryeo's King
Injong
undertaken by the government official and historian Kim Busik and
completed in 1145
motives:
o One was to fill the vast gap in knowledge concerning Korea's
Three Kingdom Era. Though each of the three kingdoms
ofGoguryeo, Baekje, and Silla had apparently produced their
own histories, these were largely lost in the continual wars,
the fall of Goguryeo and Baekje, and the dispersal of their
records.
o The other motive was to produce a history that would serve to
educate native Korean literati in native history, and provide
them with Korean exemplars of Confucian virtues. This was
especially important in mid-Goryeo as that dynasty became
increasingly Confucianized
Some Korean historians are critical of the records provided in
the Samguk Sagi, citing a bias towards China and the Silla-centered
view of the Three Kingdoms period
Kim Busik's history is critical to the study of Korean history during
the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla periods.
recent archaeological evidence provides verification of astronomical
events, and comparison with Chinese and Japanese records have
shown the Samguk Sagi to be surprisingly accurate
Written for Goryeo’s quest, through the writing of the Samguk Sagi,
to secure its legitimacy and establish its continuation of the
Mandate of Heaven from the Three Kingdoms, meant as a
necessary consequence that the compilers of the Samguk Sagi,
emphasized United Silla, the last survivor among the Three
Kingdoms, and ignored Balhae.
Memorabilla of the Three Kingdoms (Samguk yusa):
• by Buddhist monk, Iryǒn (1206-89)
• tradition & tales/ Buddhist themes
• Tangun myth
• a collection of legends, folktales, and historical accounts relating to
the Three Kingdoms of Korea, as well as to other periods and states
before, during, and after the Three Kingdoms period
• Many of the founding legends of the various kingdoms in Korean
history are recorded in the book.
Uxorilocal Marriage:
During the Koryo Dynasty women enjoyed nearly equal status with
men
o due to equal inheritance laws that gave both daughters and
sons a share in family property.
o Brothers and sisters (siblings) enjoyed equal status within the
family, and the bond between siblings functioned alongside
marriage ties.
o The relatively equal status of women was also due in part to
the uxorilocal marriage system under which the
bridegroom moved into the household of his wife's family for a
time.
During Choson Era:
o Marriage customs and patterns of inheritance also changed
under the Confucian model.
o In place of the old Korean custom of the bridegroom living for
a time with his wife's family, Confucian practice required the
bride to move into the home of her husband's family.
o There, she was defined by her role in his family as wife,
daughter-in-law, mother, or widow. Under the Confucian
inheritance system, property passed to male heirs.
o Thus Korean women lost the inheritance rights that they had
enjoyed in earlier times.
o During the Choson Dynasty, therefore, the status of women in
society and their economic independence declined.
Neo-Confucianism:
Neo-Confucianism was introduced to Korea by An
Hyang during Goryeo dynasty
Buddhism, and organized religion in general was considered
poisonous to the neo-Confucian order. Buddhism was accordingly
restricted and occasionally persecuted by the new dynasty
Neo-Confucianism encouraged education and there were a number
of neo-Confucian schools founded throughout the country that
produced many neo-Confucian scholars
neo-Confucianism in the Joseon Dynasty became so dogmatic in a
relatively rapid time that it prevented much needed socio-economic
development and change, and led to internal divisions and criticism
of many new theories
Yangban:
the highest social class of the Yi dynasty(1392–1910) of Korea.
It consisted of both munban, or civilian officials, and muban, or
military officials.
The term yangban originated in the Koryŏ dynasty (935–1392),
when civil service examinations were held under the two categories
of munkwa (civilian) and mukwa (military).
By the Yi dynasty, the term came to designate the entire
landholding class.
The Yi dynasty had a rigidly hierarchical class system composed
broadly of four classes: yangban, chungin (intermediate
class), sangmin (common people), and ch’ŏnmin (lowborn people).
The yangban were granted many privileges by the state, including
land and stipends, according to their official grade and status.
They alone were entitled to take civil service examinations and
were exempt from military duty and corvée labour.
They were even permitted to have their slaves serve their own
terms of punishment.
The rules to which the yangban were subjected were severe. Unless
at least one of their family members within three successive
generations was admitted to the officialdom, they were deprived of
their yangban status.
They were expected always to exhibit courtesy and righteousness
and to be prepared to sacrifice their lives for a greater cause. No
matter how poor, they were not supposed to show a shred of
meanness in their behavior.
The yangban system, corrupted and deemed pernicious to social
development, was discarded in 1894, when a series of modern
reforms were effected.
Hanyang (Seoul):
New capital of Joseon Dynasty
Moved bt Yi Songgye to legitimize his new dynasty and to curve the
power of the aristocracy former Koryo dynasty
Picked based on geomancy
Western Capital (Pyongyang)
Capital of former Old Choson Kingdom and Koguryo
the city was revived as Seogyŏng during Koryo dynasty or “western
capital”
Serving the greater (sadae)
a descriptive label for bilateral foreign relations between Imperial
China and Joseon dynasty Korea.Sadae is also understood as
relevant in understanding pre-Joseon diplomacy
Sadae describes a foreign policy characterized by the various ways
a small country acknowledges the strength of a greater power like
that of China.
Sadae is made manifest in the actions of the weaker state as it
conveys goodwill and respect through its envoys.
The Joseon Dynasty made every effort to maintain a friendly
relationship with Beijing for reasons having to do
with realpolitik and with an idealized Confucian worldview
Sadae construes China as the center of a Confucian moral universe
The Joseon foreign policy was organized around maintaining stable
Joseon-Chinese relations in the period from 1392 through 1895
The concept of sadae is contrasted with limited trade relationships
or kyorin diplomacy which marked Joseon-Japanese relations in this
period.
Tributary System
Premised on the belief that China was the cultural center of the
universe and that all non-Chinese were uncivilized "barbarians."
Since the Chinese ruler, “the Son of Heaven,” was considered the
ruler of all humankind, all other “barbarian” rulers were mere local
chieftains owing allegiance to Beijing
Countries wanting to trade with China had to send “tribute”
missions that legitimized China's superiority and suzerainty and in
return they could trade for a specified number of days at border
points designated by Beijing
Asian states wanting to trade with China continued to pay regular
tribute to Beijing
Mutually beneficial for both Korea and China
o Korea was under the protection of the larger more powerful
China
o China received tributary from Korea in the form of trade and
gifts/payments
Korean Alphabet (Hangul)
alphabetic system used for writing the Korean language
consists of 24 letters, including 14 consonant and 10 vowel symbols.
The development of the Hangul alphabet is traditionally ascribed
to Sejong, fourth king of the Yi dynasty
the system was made the official writing system for the Korean
language in the mid-1440s by one of Sejong’s decrees.
Because of the influence of Confucianism and of Chinese culture,
however, Hangul was not used by scholars or Koreans of the upper
classes until after 1945, when Korea ceased to be under Japanese rule.
lower classes embraced it, became literate, and were able to
communicate with one another in writing.
Chungin:
The middle-class of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea
This privileged class of commoners consisted of a small group of
petty bureaucrats and other skilled workers whose technical and
administrative skills enabled the yangban and the royal family to
rule the lower classes
Chungin were the lifeblood of the Confucian agrarian bureaucracy,
for whom the upper classes depended on to maintain their vice-like
hold on the people
the chungin were lower than the yangban aristocracy but above
commoners in social status
Included government-employed technical specialists (e.g.
interpreters, physicians, jurists, astronomers, accountants,
calligraphers, and musicians), military officers from or had marriage
ties to the families producing technical specialists, hereditary
government functionaries (both capital and local), and illegitimate
children of aristocrats.
chungin enjoyed far more privileges and influence than commoners.
o the chungin were not taxed nor subject to military
conscription.
o they were allowed to live in the central part of the city,
o the chungin tended to marry within their own class as well as
into the yangban class.
o they were eligible to enter the palace as royal servants
o it was possible for a chungin girl, if her father had a clean
reputation or good connections and she was able to catch
the king or Queen Dowager's good eye, to become a royal
consort or even a Royal Noble Consort
o To become a chungin, passing the chapkwa examination,
which tested their practical knowledge of certain skills, was
usually required
o
Korean Slaves (nobi):
Nobi is the Korean word for a system of servitude
nobi were considered property
They could be bought, sold, and given as gifts
Their owners were responsible for their care and well-being, and to
a certain extent, legally responsible for their actions. In practice
however, virtually no legal protection was accorded nobi.
Nobi could own property in many cases, and were allowed to marry
and rear children
Nobi were often made to work as servants, such as in the
households of members of the Yangban class, or as field laborers, or
as public servants in the courts
They were often people being punished for the commission of a
crime or the failure to pay a debt.
However, becoming a nobi voluntarily was possible; this might be
done to escape crushing poverty. Some were tattooed with a
distinguishing mark to denote their status and to dissuade escape.
Female Entertainer (Kiasaeng)
First appeared in the Goryeo Dynasty; kisaeng were legally
entertainers of the government, required to perform various
functions for the state
Many were employed at court, but they were also spread
throughout the country.
They were carefully trained, and frequently accomplished in the fine
arts, poetry, and prose, although their talents were often ignored
due to their inferior social status.
Aside from entertainment, these roles included medical care and
needlework
Troughout the Goryeo and Joseon periods, kisaeng held the status
of cheonmin, the lowest rank of society
Status was hereditary
Kisaeng could only be released from their position if a hefty price
was paid to the government
The kisaeng were regarded as of significantly higher status than the
slaves
All kisaeng, even those who did not work as prostitute or
entertainers, were obliged by law to retire at age 50
In the later period of Joseon, a three-tiered system developed.
The highest tier was occupied by haengsu who sang and danced at
upper-class feasts. Haengsu kisaeng were not permitted to
entertain after they turned thirty. The haengsu kisaeng of each
district also took charge of discipline and training new kisaeng.
Kisaeng of the lowest tier were called samsu (삼수, 三首).
The samsu were forbidden to perform the songs and dances of
the haengsu
On occasion, even women from the yangban aristocracy were made
kisaeng, usually because they had violated the strict sexual mores
of the Joseon period
more specialized training schools were established for kisaeng of
the first tier. The course of study lasted three years and covered
poetry, dance, music, and art
Kisaeng played a number of important political roles, as servants of
the state and in their own right. They were employed to entertain
visiting foreign dignitaries from parts of China, and to accompany
them if they travelled through the country
Thanks to their frequenting the taverns and guest-houses of the
town, kisaeng were often among the most knowledgeable on local
affairs. For this reason, they were at times a key source of
intelligence. It was through information supplied by kisaeng that the
rebel army of Hong Gyeong-rae was able to easily take the fortress
of Jeongju in the early 19th century.
in the late 16th century, kisaeng were often made to entertain the
generals of the victorious army. Some of Korea's most famous
kisaeng, including Non Gae of Jinju, are remembered today for their
bravery in killing or attempting to kill leaders of the imperial
Japanese army
The Gabo Reform of 1895 officially abolished the class system of
Joseon dynasty, and slavery as well. From that year forward, all
kisaeng became nominally free. In practice, many kisaeng, like
many other slaves, continued in servitude for many years. In
addition, many of those who were freed had no alternative career;
they continued as entertainers, now without the protections
afforded by kisaeng status
Civil Service Examination
Called Gwageo, these tests measured candidates' knowledge of
the Chinese classics, and sometimes also of technical subjects.
These were the primary route for most people to achieve positions
in the aristocracy.
Based on the civil service examinations of imperial China,
the gwageo first arose in Unified Silla, gained importance in Goryeo,
and were the centerpiece of most education in the Joseon Dynasty
In Silla:
o Suggested by Choe Chiwon but due to Silla's bone rank
system, which dictated that appointments be made on the
basis of birth, these examinations did not have a strong effect
on the government
In Koryo:
o the national examinations became more systematic and
powerful than they had been under Silla
o any member of the yangin freeborn class was permitted to
take the examination, although the descendants of monks,
criminals and cheonmin were excluded
o The major examinations were literary, and came in two forms:
a composition test (jesul eop), and a test of classical
knowledge (myeonggyeong eop).
o Military examinations were established
In Joseon
o the examinations fell under three broad categories: the
literary examinations (mun-gwa), military examinations
(mugwa), and miscellaneous examinations (japgwa) covering
topics such as medicine, geography, astronomy, and
translation
o In theory, anyone other than slaves and chunmin could take
gwageo examinations, but in reality only yangban who had
the luxury of spending much of their childhood and early
adulthood studying could hope to pass the exam
o Gwageo examinations were very important not only for an
individual but for his family because if a yangban family that
did not produce a government official for four generations
they lost their status as yangban
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