Abstract This paper presents a study of Confucian influence on Korean history, especially during the Choson period. The paper pays especial reference to the tributary relationship between Korea and China from the earliest period through the modern era. The study examines the Choson Kingdom's claim to be the "purest" Confucian state versus the reality of the application of the religion to the Korean body politic.
From the Paper "The Choson Kingdom (AD 1392-1910) once considered itself the last 'true Confucian' state, even though the kingdom embodied several traits that would indicate otherwise. Confucianism, after all, had been developed in China--not Korea--by the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his disciples. Since Confucianism's rise during the Han Dynasty (206 BC- AD 220), the Chinese state has always practiced it to some degree, whether in peace or wartime, and even when conquered and ruled by the non-Chinese Mongol Empire during the Age of Disunion."
Abstract This paper reviews the history of Korean society under the leadership of the Choson Dynasty and the influence that Confucianism had on this period. According to this paper, this was a period of time in which Buddhism was discouraged.
From the Paper "The Choson Dynasty came to power after the fall of the Koryo dynasty in 1392, and endured for 519 years. The Choson dynasty was founded on the principles of Confucianism, and can in fact be called a strict Confucian state, in which Buddhism was suppressed. As we will see, Confucian principles would become the foundation of every aspect of society in the Choson dynasty. The Choson kingdom was founded by Yi-Song-gye. Over the 519 years that it lasted, 27 kings of the Yi dynasty ruled."
Abstract This paper explains that the Choson dynasty is marked by the creation of the Korean alphabetic script, the establishment of the yangban, a new aristocracy, and a shift to Confucianism. The author points out that during the Choson Dynasty, many events happened in the West: Columbus discovered America, the Protestant Reformation divided Europe, and modern nationalism resulted in powerful states like Germany, Italy, and Russia and the Industrial Revolution. The author believes that the Japanese domination changed the unique culture of Korea in many ways, basically robbing the people of the Choson Dynasty of their own ways.
From the Paper "In addition, the Korean people began to lose interest in the study of martial arts. The study of martial arts, including weapons, was banned to everyone but the military. The HwaRangDo, whose roots lay in the Buddhist teachings, eventually lost its importance among young people.
While Korea was under Japanese control, many things changed. All competitive sports and martial arts were forbidden. Only the military, which was now under Japanese control, could practice martial arts (Lancaster, 2002). SooBakGi was practiced secretly and soon changed its name again to SooBakDo. Japanese combat arts were first seen in Korea during this time. The people of Korea showed a great deal of interest in this type of fighting."
Abstract This paper explains that the society of the Choson Dynasty was purely male-oriented, from polygamy for men to monogamy for women. Women were the suppressed class, subservient to the will of men. The author points out that the "samchong chido", or the rules for women, defined the ethical and moral standards that the women of the Choson dynasty had to observe no matter what. The paper relates that Choson women had a degree of freedom in their complete control of the household, including management of the household, the preparation for ritual ceremonies and festivals, and the education of the children.
From the Paper "Even in the childhood, girls and boys had different status and ranking where the boys were taught and educated, like mathematics, from the age of ten that helped them in their future years, while any girl at the same age of ten was told to stay at home and lead a secluded life from then on. At home, the only activity for the little girls was to rear silkworms and after than spin cloth from the thread produced. In fact this was the only available employment for the Choson women in that era."
Abstract The writer of this paper gives an in-depth account of how women were treated during the Choson dynasty. Confucian marriages under the Choson system introduced and encouraged pervasive elements of sexist discrimination which resulted in virtual doom for the woman of Korea. The writer details the strict repression of women's rights in familial, educational, political and legal spheres which gave the dynasty the unfortunate title of "the dark age for women's culture and women in general." This paper also examines the conflict between traditional attitudes and the imported Confucian ideals on Korean society.
From the Paper "Thus, a woman's life with her husband was hardly freer than the life she formerly led with her father. Indeed, it appears that she became even more of a victim of sexism and mind-control in the house of her husband and his family. During her married life, a woman of the Choson dynasty often faced a joyless life of isolation, severe regimentation, and the constant threat of expulsion. However, if a woman outlived her husband, the oppression facing her would not end."
Abstract This paper will discuss the status and position of women in Koryo and Choson, which are integral parts of ancient Korean history and civilization. An attempt will be made to trace the status of women throughout these two eras, and to highlight their restrained home-based condition within a primarily patriarchal societal structure.
Abstract This paper examines how, although Korean women have significantly more rights than they did in earlier history, including partaking in the government, Confucian tradition remains strong, especially in South Korea. It looks at how, when it comes to lack of freedom, the women of the Choson Dynasty from 1392 to 1910 had few parallels in the world. It explores how, for centuries, they were forced to follow a thoroughly restricted life as dictated by stringent Neo-Confucian moral standards.
From the Paper "Prior to the introduction of the Choson Dynasty, a wedding was held in the bride's home. The new couple lived in her house to the birth of the first child and then moved to the groom?s. This was usually about a year after the marriage. During the early Choson period, however, the bride and groom had their wedding at the husband's house, where the couple immediately established a permanent residence. Because this was such a major change from the previous cultural norm, a compromise was instead found between the old ways and those of Confucius: The wedding was held at the bride's home, but the groom only remained at the bride's home for one night. The pair then moved permanently to husband's house."
Abstract This twelve-page undergraduate paper is a discussion of some of the main social and political developments that took place in Korea over the late Choson period. Every one of the changes was marked by a pattern of reform versus opposition. In part, this is explained by the opposite movements, the first towards enlightenment and the second towards tradition.
From the Paper "At the beginning of the late Choson dynasty, power was concentrated in royal families so that the peasants became victims of corruption and oppression. The social and political developments during that period very often amounted to real revolutions. The peasants fought against unfair conditions and abuse, and their goals were reform, justice, and most especially equality. These peasants formed armies, and the most striking example was the Tonghak peasant army. The leaders during period were also trying to bring about reforms. Both the peasants and the leaders had to deal with a conflict of ideas."
Abstract This paper explains that with the beginning of the Choson rule, Confucian thought became the ruling ideology of the Korea and the core of the education system. The author points out that Confucianism became a powerful instrument for reorganizing the state and society and for infusing new discipline into intellectual life.
Abstract This paper describes the trade routes that existed during the early period of Korean history when the kingdoms of Korea were developing a unique culture that interacted with the civilizations flourishing throughout Asia. The thesis of this paper is that it was the combination of the many contacts with the rest of Asia that resulted in the unique development of the Korean State and its role in influencing religious development in both China and Japan. It also discusses the relationships Korea had with the rest of Asia early in its history. This should set the stage for the reader to understand not only what influences were acting upon Korea in the pre-Choson period of Korean history, but the relevance of Korea in the early days of her history to the political and economic developments in Asia.
From the Paper "Ships moving up the coast of China to Korea came to the city of Ch?u-chou, located at the juncture of the grand Canal and the Huai River, where ocean going vessels could meet smaller boats from the Yang-chou and the Yangtze River system to the south and the river craft of the upper Huai and Pien Rivers leading westward toward the capital region. (Reishauer p. 281) The route led from the Shantung the Yongdang Peninsula. There ships met a land route moving north forming a link with the trade route of the steppes. A more southern route and a southern route was from Chungju on the Shantung Peninsula to the Liaotung Peninsula and on to Lolang in Koguryo. The sea route continued down the coast of the river ports of the Han and Kum, Paekma, and Yongsan Rivers and there was routine boat traffic along the Tanjin in South Chungjan Province."
Abstract This paper explores the approaches of world history in relation to three examples from Qing China, Tokugawa Japan and Choson Korea that were once interpreted culturally, but have ordinary political and economic explanations. Qing China resented the UK opium trade from which it could not profit, Tokugawa Japan questioned the motivations of Portugal's missionaries, and Choson Korea functioned from fear of Japanese aggression, towards decisions that limited European access.
From the Paper "The notion of a stagnant and culturally isolated East Asia, was a common error of the recent past. World History's approaches force attention to local and particular developments so that what actually comes into view are three East Asians powers focused on protectionism. One sees that they did not isolate themselves from other influences but reacted, as one would expect when Western powers seemed to threaten their local control. Had Qing China or Tokugawa Japan or Choson Korea simply shunned outside influences out of cultural preference, this would have been a remarkable state of affairs, indeed."
Abstract This paper looks at the article of clothing as a symbol of the Korean history and culture. It follows the development of this traditional dress through the history of Korea and shows how it evolved. It links the hanbok with beauty, respect and tradition. It is also compared to other traditional forms of dress in the region - the sari from India and the kimono from Japan.
From the Paper "?Clothes make the man. Pretty feathers make pretty birds. The tailor makes the man.? So proclaims a Korean proverb (Holt, 1999). One of the cultural distinctions among Asian countries is the style of clothes - unique and completely different from Western attire with which we are often surrounded. Millennia of civilization caused the evolution of costumes to reflect: the cultural mores of the times, the climactic conditions, the physical geography of the region, and the occupation of the populace. Each country has its own costume: In India, the sari for women and dhoti for men, the dazzling and delicate Kimono of Japan, the curvilinear Chipao of China, and the Aojai of Vietnam. Each of the country's costumes portrays its characteristics and tradition. (Kahlenberg, 2001)"
Abstract This paper examines Korean culture through its earliest history to its present state through modern demographics, religion, education, housing, leisure activities, climate, politics, language, currency and the recent developments associated with the division between North and South Korea. Both the very serious and the socially intriguing are discussed in a brief overview of the cultural climate of South Korea.
From the Paper "Korean history is rich in culture and fable, a history as independently rich as any nation. The foundations of culture and government are traced through a series of dynasties, monarchical families. Each dynasty is associated with a time of change. The focus of each individual dynasty might run the gambit of all cultural and political development, some dynasties were known for their great contributions to literature, art and science while others were associated with more political focuses. The stories and the rich imagery of Korean Cultural History are often rejected by rationalists and often discredited as fable yet the need for understanding is evident regardless of the impetus. Korean Cultural history is ancient and rich and just as any ancient history the difficulty of proof or disproof through archeology or any other means is present. Yet, regardless of the secular identity or focus of today's world economy the validity of culture requires not only knowledge but also respect of a strong cultural character."
Abstract This paper will examine the nature and impact of Confucianism upon Korea during this period. It will be argued that this Confucianism - although a cultural "import" from China - had begun to assume definite Korean characteristics at around this time. The key difference between the two, it will be seen, lies in that Chinese Confucianism remained largely an ideal of social and political practice in China, while the Koreans implemented it as the guiding principle of their political actions and the construction of their state.
A look at China, Japan, and Korea from 1500 to 1920 and the notion, commonly held by foreigners of that era, that these countries had grown up in isolation.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, 2006, $ 71.95
Abstract Past mistakes when writing the history of China, Japan and Korea, involved seeing these societies as having grown up in isolation from the rest of the world, until the arrival of European explorers and traders of the early 16th century. This paper helps to show that Qing China, Tokugawa Japan, and Choson Korea, did have knowledge of other civilizations, and exposure to them.
