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The late 19th century marked a significant period in Korea's history, when it established formal diplomatic relations with the outside world. Goryeo celadon began appearing in the context of diplomatic and other exchanges in the 19th century. These celadon pieces were exquisite and often of the highest quality. There are also cases of foreign diplomats collecting Goryeo celadon. British consul William Carles, French consul Victor Collin de Plancy, and American consul Horace Allen played prominent roles in collecting, selling, and donating Goryeo celadon. In the complex landscape of East Asian diplomacy, ceramics occasionally played a role in exchanges between China, Japan, and Southeast Asian regions. Overall, this phenomenon can be attributed to the changing economic and cultural value of Goryeo celadon, particularly during the late 19th century. However, the inclusion of Goryeo celadon in diplomatic contexts or as prominent diplomatic gifts was also closely related to the changing perception of Goryeo celadon within Korea, as it began to be viewed from a more externalized perspective. Moreover, as foreign interest in Korean (Joseon) culture expanded into a range of ethnographic studies, Goryeo celadon came to be recognized as an artistic product that demonstrated the cultural competence of the nation. Simultaneously, Goryeo celadon took on the role of a diplomatic medium, symbolically representing Korea's heritage on a national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on analysing the heights of 10,953 Korean men aged 20 to 40 years who were measured during the Joseon dynasty, the Japanese colonialisation period, and the contemporary period, the latter including both North and South Korea. This study thus provides rare long-term statistical evidence on how biological living standards have developed over several centuries, encompassing Confucianism, colonialism, capitalism, and communism. Using error bar analysis of heights for each historical sample period, this study confirms that heights rose as economic performance improved. For instance, economically poorer North Koreans were expectedly shorter, by about 6 cm, than their peers living in the developed South. Similarly, premodern inhabitants of present-day South Korea, who produced a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita below the world average, were about 4 cm shorter than contemporary South Koreans, who have a mean income above the world average. Along similar lines, North Koreans, who have a GDP per capita akin to that of the premodern Joseon dynasty, have not improved much in height. On the contrary, mean heights of North Koreans were even slightly below (by about 2.4 cm) heights of Joseon dynasty Koreans. All in all, the heights follow a U-shaped pattern across time, wherein heights were lowest during the colonial era. Heights bounced back to Joseon dynasty levels during the interwar period, a time period where South Korea benefitted from international aid, only to rise again and surpass even premodern levels under South Korea's flourishing market economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeoentomological investigations were conducted on soil contents from a grave belonging to the Joseon Dynasty as part of the Urban Environment Maintenance Project (UEMP) in Cheongjin 12–16 dong (districts), Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea, from December 01, 2008 to February 19, 2011. A total of 28 insect puparia with hard shells of the common green bottle fly Lucilia sericata were identified in the soil. Evidence suggested that the corpse was placed outside for some days instead of being buried immediately after death. This is the first report of fly puparia in soil samples from a tomb of the Joseon Dynasty during 16–17 AD in Korea. Our findings may help determine the timeframe of burial and offer archaeological insights into the funerary customs of the period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pavilion of Hangul pixels at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai attested to South Korea's booming economy and rising popularity of its culture in the contemporary era. However, Korea's early experience with expositions demonstrates its struggle with nation branding and autonomy. To debrief this tumultuous path, this paper examines the visual culture of Korea in international and national-scaled expositions from 1893 to 1929, encompassing the end of dynastic history, the short life of the Korean Empire, and the colonial era. The role of designership and audience in presenting Korean culture is analyzed under autonomous and colonial contexts. This research would serve to enhance the understanding of Korean nationalism through various visual representations of Korea and its culture in early modernity.

The Northern Learning School of Korean practical learning was born in the 17th century when the chaos was constant, the people were destitute, and everything was waiting to be done. At that time, the practice of Western learning spreading to the East had been introduced into Joseon Dynasty in the form of Chinese translation of Western books and Western artifacts through the media of envoys to Beijing. Under the influence of internal and external factors, the Northern Learning School chose an independent and open attitude, and advocated learning Western culture with Chinese style under the pressure of praising highly the culture of the Ming Dynasty while excluding that of the Qing Dynasty, in an attempt to change the backward situation of the country. Although the ideological trend of Northern Learning had impacted the ideological circle of Joseon Dynasty, it did not shake the traditional ruling thought and foundation of the dynasty, and ultimately failed to put it on the road of modernization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data obtained through mummy research provide researchers with abundant archaeological and medical information of pre-industrialized Korean people. Over the years, autopsy becomes a research tool rarely conducted in mummy studies, which has been increasingly replaced by noninvasive radiological technique. In this report, a novel three dimensional (3D) segmentation and model reconstruction has been conducted on the heart and liver CT images acquired from Gangneung mummy of Joseon period in Korea. By successful estimation of the mummy's preservation and pathological status by exclusively calling the data of specific target organs, our report could reveal how efficiently 3D reconstruction grasps spatial interrelationship between multiple mummified structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional (3D) segmentation and model reconstruction is a specialized tool to reveal spatial interrelationship between multiple internal organs by generating images without overlapping structures. This technique can also be applicable to mummy studies, but related reports have so far been very rare. In this study, we applied 3D segmentation and model reconstruction to computed tomography images of a Korean mummy with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. As originally revealed by the autopsy in 2013, the current 3D reconstruction reveals that the mummy's heart is shifted to the left due to the liver pushing up to thoracic cavity thorough diaphragmatic hernial defect. We can generate 3D images by calling up the data exclusively from mummy's target organs, thus minimizing the confusion of diagnosis that could be caused by overlapping organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines changing perceptions of China’s Qing Dynasty within the Joseon Dynasty, focusing on Chinese-style buildings during the late Joseon period (18th-19th). Until the mid-18th century, Joseon views of the Qing Empire were dominated by the northern expedition. These perceptions began to change when yeonhaengsa introduced Qing Dynasty culture to Joseon society. Some progressive Joseon thinkers promoted the Bukhak theory, arguing that Joseon should proactively adopt Qing and Western culture via the Qing Empire. During cultural exchanges with Qing scholars, Joseon intellectuals developed an interest in China’s advanced architectural technology, including its construction techniques, use of wagons, and ondol system. The Bukhak scholars were particularly impressed with brick, which they endeavored to promote throughout Joseon. First, Park Jiwon (朴趾源, 1737–1805) built brick Chinese-style buildings in Anui, Gyeongsang Province and Gyedong, Seoul at the end of the 18th century. After the construction of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, architectural experiments influenced by Qing culture began to appear in various fields in Joseon. The Chinese architecture introduced to Joseon by Silhak scholars can be understood as an adoption of a foreign culture. This architecture helped Joseon acclimatize to foreign influences before the full-scale introduction of Western modern architecture, following the opening of the port in the late 19th century.

The citrus orchard landscape in Jeju Island, South Korea has important cultural heritage value. It is a unique agricultural landscape shaped by local people, using the special climate, hydrology, and vegetation environment of Jeju Island. The Joseon Dynasty in the 16th century established a tribute system for citrus. The Jeju government also set up a citrus garden. Since then, the regional distribution and geographic landscape of citrus groves on Jeju Island have experienced great changes. This paper combines natural factors, such as climate and water resources, with human factors, such as Korean citrus industry policies, the market, social changes, and technological progress to study the changes in the landscape and spatial distribution of citrus orchards in Jeju Island since the 15th century, and analyzes the driving forces behind the spatial changes in citrus production on Jeju Island. The results show the following. From the 16th century to 2019, citrus production on Jeju Island experienced development-historically significant ups and downs of decline and strong revival. A large migration of production space from north to south was found. The space for citrus production has expanded gradually, and the production of citrus orchards on Jeju Island has undergone a transformation from government orchards in the Joseon period to a modern experiential farm for tourism. The driving forces for citrus production space changes and geographic landscape changes are complex. Water resources were the main natural factor affecting the distribution of citrus groves during the Joseon Dynasty. The social system, transportation, and market were the main factors influencing the expansion of citrus orchard production space from the 16th century to modern times. During the development of and changes in citrus production space over the past five hundred years, human factors have continuously strengthened and influenced the optimization and adjustment of citrus space and the geographical landscape. Since the 1970s, advances in water resource development technology have changed the spatial distribution pattern of modern citrus orchards. Research on the long-term production space and geographic landscape changes in Jeju Island, and their mechanism of citrus orchards, can create a cultural landscape of citrus orchards with local characteristics for traditional citrus cultivation areas in China. It can also provides references for folk customs, cultural products, and the upgrading and development of China's citrus industry.

Abstract This study applied various scientific analyses to one fragment of paper and three pigments excavated from earthenware found in the Hoeamsa Temple site at Yangju, Korea, which is believed to have been built in the early twelfth century. Radiocarbon dating of the paper fragment suggests a manufacture date between 1460 and 1646 (at a 95% confidence interval). It was estimated to have been used during the early and middle period of the Joseon dynasty (1391–1776), when the Hoeamsa Temple site was rebuilt. In addition, by staining the fiber of the paper fragment with Graff “C” stain, the paper’s raw material was identified as paper mulberry through dislocation, cross-marking, and transparent membrane, which are characteristics of the bast fiber. Efforts were made to identify their material properties and manufacturing techniques of the three types of pigments. Color difference analysis was performed by distributing the pigments in large areas to reveal characteristic differences according to the color difference of the pigment. We found that green-type pigments are malachite and atacamite, red-type pigments are hematite based on the element Fe, and white-type pigments are quartz and muscovite based on the elements Si and Al. In addition, as the size distribution of the three types of pigments is wide and has a multi-peak distribution curve, it was concluded that the pigments were used without purification.

Abdürreşid İbrahim, a leading Muslim scholar originally from Russia, embarked on his journey to Japan in 1908 to meet with his contacts from Kokuryūkai (Black Dragon Society). On his way back, he spent around ten days in the Korean Empire. İbrahim, who was convinced of the "barbarism" of the West, found quite a few examples in Korea to build upon his theory of "Eastern civility," just as he had found during his time in Japan. He met with a range of people, from porters to the Korean Empire's Interior Minister, and wrote about them in his travelogue titled Âlem-i İslam [The World of Islam]. This paper argues that İbrahim was particularly sympathetic to Koreans because he saw their position in a world of imperial hierarchies as analogous to that of Muslims in the Russian Empire. In Korea, İbrahim's anti-Westernism is coupled with his vision of a Pan-Asian world order led by Imperial Japan. Âlem-i İslam is significant because it is the only account of the Korean Empire's final years written by a Muslim intellectual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the use of water clocks in the early Joseon Dynasty from the era of King Taejo till the days of King Seongjong. More specifically, it traces the creation of Jagyeongnu (自擊漏, automatically-striking clepsydra) the organization and maintenance of Geumru (禁 漏) of Seoun-gwan (書雲觀, Bureau of Astronomy), and the repair and improvement of Jagyeongnu in the post King Sejong era. From the early days, Joseon Dynasty strove to utilize water clocks as its national standard clock. Jagyeongnu, completed under King Sejong's reign, was the product of efforts to create the most advanced water clock that solves problems with previous water clocks. King Sejong and his officials studied works on Chinese historical clepsydras to fix the problems of the past water clocks and used the knowledge gained in designing Jagyeongnu in 1433. After a year of test operation, Jagyeongnu became the national standard clock on July 1st, 1434. The main staffs in charge of the operation of national water clocks, including Jagyeongnu, were officials called 'Geumru', members of Seoun-gwan. In the process of the reform of government organization, Geumru was affiliated as junior officials under Seoun-gwan, started with the 40 members and reorganized as 30 peoples in November 1475, and this number was written in Gyeongguk-Daejeon (經國大典), the National Code of Joseon Dynasty. The operation of an automatic clepsydra such as Jagyeongnu incurred many difficulties. As witnessed in several cases since the era of King Munjong, malfunction could be bred in the compartments of automatic water clocks: the water supply system comprised of water-supply vessels and inflow vessels, power transmission devise using iron balls, and the time casting apparatus. This was why there were continuous suggestions for repairs of water clocks since the full-scale operation of Jagyeongnu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The citrus orchard landscape in Jeju Island, South Korea has important cultural heritage value. It is a unique agricultural landscape shaped by local people, using the special climate, hydrology, and vegetation environment of Jeju Island. The Joseon Dynasty in the 16th century established a tribute system for citrus. The Jeju government also set up a citrus garden. Since then, the regional distribution and geographic landscape of citrus groves on Jeju Island have experienced great changes. This paper combines natural factors, such as climate and water resources, with human factors, such as Korean citrus industry policies, the market, social changes, and technological progress to study the changes in the landscape and spatial distribution of citrus orchards in Jeju Island since the 15th century, and analyzes the driving forces behind the spatial changes in citrus production on Jeju Island. The results show the following. From the 16th century to 2019, citrus production on Jeju Island experienced development-historically significant ups and downs of decline and strong revival. A large migration of production space from north to south was found. The space for citrus production has expanded gradually, and the production of citrus orchards on Jeju Island has undergone a transformation from government orchards in the Joseon period to a modern experiential farm for tourism. The driving forces for citrus production space changes and geographic landscape changes are complex. Water resources were the main natural factor affecting the distribution of citrus groves during the Joseon Dynasty. The social system, transportation, and market were the main factors influencing the expansion of citrus orchard production space from the 16th century to modern times. During the development of and changes in citrus production space over the past five hundred years, human factors have continuously strengthened and influenced the optimization and adjustment of citrus space and the geographical landscape. Since the 1970s, advances in water resource development technology have changed the spatial distribution pattern of modern citrus orchards. Research on the long-term production space and geographic landscape changes in Jeju Island, and their mechanism of citrus orchards, can create a cultural landscape of citrus orchards with local characteristics for traditional citrus cultivation areas in China. It can also provides references for folk customs, cultural products, and the upgrading and development of China's citrus industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applied various scientific analyses to one fragment of paper and three pigments excavated from earthenware found in the Hoeamsa Temple site at Yangju, Korea, which is believed to have been built in the early twelfth century. Radiocarbon dating of the paper fragment suggests a manufacture date between 1460 and 1646 (at a 95% confidence interval). It was estimated to have been used during the early and middle period of the Joseon dynasty (1391–1776), when the Hoeamsa Temple site was rebuilt. In addition, by staining the fiber of the paper fragment with Graff "C" stain, the paper's raw material was identified as paper mulberry through dislocation, cross-marking, and transparent membrane, which are characteristics of the bast fiber. Efforts were made to identify their material properties and manufacturing techniques of the three types of pigments. Color difference analysis was performed by distributing the pigments in large areas to reveal characteristic differences according to the color difference of the pigment. We found that green-type pigments are malachite and atacamite, red-type pigments are hematite based on the element Fe, and white-type pigments are quartz and muscovite based on the elements Si and Al. In addition, as the size distribution of the three types of pigments is wide and has a multi-peak distribution curve, it was concluded that the pigments were used without purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the characteristics of the exchanges between local officials of Liaodong and Korean envoys during the Ming Dynasty and the specific performance of the two parties in the tribute rituals, local officials of Liaodong and the Korean envoys played an important role in maintaining the healthy development of the tributary system. In the early Ming Dynasty, in order to consolidate the newly established suzerain-vassal relationship, officials in Liaodong concentrated their efforts to wipe out the forces of the old country, and worked hard to build a close exchange model with the Korean envoys. In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the relationship between China and North Korea under the tributary system was mature and stable, and various systems had been established. To improve, Liaodong officials only need to practice the tribute rituals step by step to ensure the standardization of the exchanges between border ministers and envoys; but in the late Ming Dynasty, the Liaodong border will be corrupt and the officials wantonly exploited. When the North Korean envoys went to Liaodong Suffering from invading fishing, although the framework of the "typical tributary relationship" is still in place, the mode of communication that emphasizes rituals and neglects practical results to some extent weakened the close ties between each other and caused huge losses to the subsequent dispatch of troops to the Japanese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"San Han Supplements" is a Chinese novel written by Kim So Hung, a writer in the late Joseon Dynasty. As a frustrated literati, Jin Shaoxing relied on his profound knowledge of Chinese literature to integrate the content of Chinese classical novels and imitate the creation techniques of historical novels such as The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. While completing the creation of his works, he obtained talent display and official career. Alternative satisfaction of desire. In addition, through the subversive description of the fate of many Chinese historical figures who were worried and angry, he also realized the purpose of venting his anxiety and anger, and finally got psychological comfort and satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Golf was developed in Korea between the late nineteenth century and the early 20th century. This was a dark period for the country, during which its name was changed from the Joseon Dynasty to the Korean Empire, and the nation subsequently entered the Japanese colonial era after losing its national sovereignty. The game of golf, which was first introduced by the foreign maritime customs staff at the end of the Joseon Dynasty, spread across upper class society during the Japanese colonial era, as golf courses were being built in major cities and vacation spots around the country. The construction of the courses was undertaken by foreign missionaries, Japanese, and Koreans. The introduction and development of golf in Korea was initially led by the Japanese, as well as by foreign commissioners and missionaries; thereafter, Koreans began to participate in golf. However, golf courses completely disappeared from the Korean Peninsula over the course of the Pacific War and the Korean War after the liberation of Korea from Japan. Korean golfers who survived the Japanese colonial era began to rebuild the golf courses, thereby creating the cornerstone of what has today become a global golf powerhouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horace N. Allen, an American physician, was a Presbyterian missionary to Korea. In 1886, he wrote the annual report of the Korean government hospital, summarizing patient statistics according to outpatient and inpatient classification for the first ever in Korean history. In the report, he speculated that hemoptysis cases of outpatient might have been mainly caused by distoma. Allen's conjecture was noteworthy because only a few years lapsed since the first scientific report of paragonimiasis. However, he was not sure of his assumption either because it was not evidently supported by proper microscopic or post-mortem examinations. In this letter, we thus revisit his assumption with our parasitological data recently obtained from Joseon period mummies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the iconography of “the Listener” in Buddhist prints that was adopted in Joseon dynasty Sakyamuni Preaching paintings. Regarding change in the Listener iconography from bodhisattva form to monk form, diverse research has been conducted on the Listener’s identity and origin. However, existing studies are limited as they fail to consider the circumstances of the time this iconography was first adopted and trends in Joseon Buddhism. As the first Joseon print where the Listener in bodhisattva form appeared was based on a print from the Chinese Ming dynasty, and considering trends in publication of Buddhist prints in China where pictures of the Buddha preaching were used repeatedly in sutras regardless of the contents, this paper argues that the Listener should not be identified with any particular figure and examines the current state and characteristics of Joseon Buddhist paintings where the Listener appears. It also explores the possibility that the Listener’s change from bodhisattva form to monk form was driven by monk artists such as Myeongok, who were exposed to diverse iconography as they participated in creating both Buddhist paintings and prints in a situation where monks who had received systematic education gained a new awareness of iconography.

This study investigated the Sachanbalgi, which record the royal feasts given by the royal family of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. These records are contained within the Gungjung Balgi, which recorded the types and quantity of items used in royal court ceremonies. The Eumsikbalgi is the general name for the records of food found within this document. Using these Eumsikbalgi, and in particular the Sachanbalgi, this study investigated the food eaten and bestowed by the Joseon royal family. The Sachanbalgi describes four categories or occasions of feasts: royal birthdays, childbirth, royal weddings, and funerals. These records allow us to reconstruct who the attendees were and what the table settings and food were for instances not directly indicated in oral records, books, or other documents. The food at these Sachan (feasts) was diverse, being related to the specific event, and its contents varied based on the position of the person who was receiving the food. Usually, Bab (rice) was not found at a Sachanbalgi, and only on two occasions were meals with Bab observed. Specifically, it was served with Gwaktang (seaweed soup) at a childbirth feast. There were seven kinds of soups and stews that appeared in the Sachanbalgi: Gwaktang, Yeonpo (octopus soup), Japtang (mixed food stew), Chogyetang (chilled chicken soup), Sinseonro (royal hot pot), and Yukjang (beef and soybean paste). Nureumjeok (grilled brochette) and Saengchijeok (pheasant), and Ganjeonyueo (pan-fried cow liver fillet) and Saengseonjeonyueo (pan-fried fish fillet) were eaten. Yangjeonyueo, Haejeon, Tigakjeon (pan-fried kelp) and other dishes, known and unknown, were also recorded. Boiled meat slices appeared at high frequency (40 times) in the records; likewise, 22 kinds of rice cake and traditional sweets were frequently served at feasts. Five kinds of non-alcoholic beverages were provided. Seasonal fruits and nuts, such as fresh pear or fresh chestnut, are thought to have been served following the event. In addition, a variety of dishes including salted dry fish, boiled dish, kimchi, fruit preserved in honey, seasoned vegetables, mustard seeds, fish, porridge, fillet, steamed dishes, stir-fried dishes, vegetable wraps, fruit preserved in sugar, and jellied foods were given to guests, and noodles appear 16 times in the records. Courtiers were given Banhap, Tanghap, Myeonhap, wooden bowls, or lunchboxes. The types of food provided at royal events tracked the season. In addition, considering that for feasts food of the royal household was set out for receptions of guests, cooking instructions for the food in the lunchbox-type feasts followed the cooking instructions used in the royal kitchen at the given time. Previous studies on royal cuisine have dealt mostly with the Jineosang presented to the king, but in the Sachanbalgi, the food given by the royal family to its relatives, retainers, and attendants is recorded. The study of this document is important because it extends the knowledge regarding the food of the royal families of the Joseon Dynasty. The analysis of Sachanbalgi and the results of empirical research conducted to reconstruct the precise nature of that food will improve modern knowledge of royal cuisine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korean historical documents have abundant records of river works. Extensive related records during the Joseon Dynasty (CE 1392–1910) were investigated and analyzed. The evolution of man-made urban stream, Cheonggyecheon the center of old downtown Seoul, Korea was reviewed. In 1410, after a big flood, 52,800 soldiers were mobilized from whole country to improve waterway in the capital. King Sejong continued to enhance the river maintenance. The dredging and expansion for main stream including tributaries was conducted to reduce flood risk. It was a landmark river engineering project for the improvement of the capital's infrastructure. King Yeongjo planned and initiated the massive river work project. 200,000 people were recruited from five local provinces to widen the stream and to build up the stone embankments, and the waterways were straightened up to present conditions. After the project, the Juncheonsail , a construction report was published and adopted as a practical guideline for river management. As a result, floods in downtown of the capital had been somewhat controlled though, since then every King of the Joseon Dynasty had deep consideration on river maintenance including dredging and embankment against flood and sedimentation. This paper aims to introduce a brief history of the systematic urban river management in ancient Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the long process of assimilation of the Shixian-li 時憲曆 astronomical method, the bureaucratic structure of Gwansanggam 觀象監 (the Office for Observation of Natural Phenomena) also changed gradually. The personnel in charge of calendar calculation increased, the textbooks for civil service examination for the Gwansanggam officers was newly designated, and the selection process of young candidates for officers was enacted. The most important change in Gwansanggam's structure, however, was the establishment of new positions such as Samryeok-gwan 三曆官 (Officers in Charge of Making Three Calendars) and expansion of their quota. This reorganization of institutional structure was not recorded in the State Codes (大典), because the court could not change the orthodox Codes established by the former kings. Yet the Joseon government needed to establish the new positions to assimilate the Shixian-li method and make annual calendars according to that method. This need was satisfied by the so called Sanwon-jik 散員職 positions -- the official positions receiving "scattered salaries" (sanryo 散料). With these changes, a total of 131 new positions were established in Gwansanggam. Moreover, this new position of Samryeok-gwan became the council members who regulated the Gwansanggam organization after the mid-eighteenth century. The Sanwon-jik positions, such as Samryeok-gwan and Susul-gwan 修述官, played key role in the management of Gwansanggam in the late Joseon period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Song dynasty respected literati and emphasized literary grace. The court of the Joseon dynasty took the Song dynasty as a model of governing the country and admired the literati of the Song dynasty especially Su Shi and his poems. Consequently, the court introduced and published many books about Su Shi and his poems for literati inside and outside the court to learn and imitate. The literati of the Joseon dynasty highly praise Su Shi who had magnificent integrity, marvelous articles and graceful poems. Meanwhile, they also pointed out the problems of"special use"and"many Buddhist terms". While imitating Su Shi’s creative style and artistic techniques, they learned Su Shi’s works on the subject matter and created many Chinese poems belonging to the Korean nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Korean historical documents have abundant records of river works. Extensive related records during the Joseon Dynasty (CE 1392–1910) were investigated and analyzed. The evolution of man-made urban stream, Cheonggyecheon the center of old downtown Seoul, Korea was reviewed. In 1410, after a big flood, 52,800 soldiers were mobilized from whole country to improve waterway in the capital. King Sejong continued to enhance the river maintenance. The dredging and expansion for main stream including tributaries was conducted to reduce flood risk. It was a landmark river engineering project for the improvement of the capital's infrastructure. King Yeongjo planned and initiated the massive river work project. 200,000 people were recruited from five local provinces to widen the stream and to build up the stone embankments, and the waterways were straightened up to present conditions. After the project, the Juncheonsail , a construction report was published and adopted as a practical guideline for river management. As a result, floods in downtown of the capital had been somewhat controlled though, since then every King of the Joseon Dynasty had deep consideration on river maintenance including dredging and embankment against flood and sedimentation. This paper aims to introduce a brief history of the systematic urban river management in ancient Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the end of the 15th century, syphilis spread worldwide, posing a serious threat to public health. Venereal syphilis has been a major research topic, not only in clinical medicine but also in paleopathology, especially because it is a disease of questionable origin and of high prevalence until the discovery of antibiotics. Syphilis in history has been studied extensively in Europe and the Americas, though less so in Asia. In this review, based on extant historical documents and available paleopathological data, we pinpoint the introduction and trace the spread of venereal syphilis in Korea to the end of the 19th century. This review provides fundamental information that will be of great help to future research on pre-20th century syphilis in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical analogies can help us contextualize new technical developments with social, cultural, and political forces at work. The late Joseon Dynasty period of Korea (1639–1910), a closed economy with detailed written records, provides a rare opportunity to examine a social-ecological system (SES) responding to drivers of change over a long period of time. Based on historical records and reconstructed data, we aim to: (1) characterize how the expansion of human technology, Ondol (traditional underfloor heating system), affected different subsystems and their interactions within the SES over time, (2) examine the role of the government in promoting the technology and regulating its impacts, and (3) summarize the pertinent lessons learned from old Korea for governing a modern-day bioeconomy. Ondol allows various forest biomass to be utilized as household fuel, including fuelwood, forest litter, and grass scraped from forest floor. Continuous biomass harvesting over 250 years to feed Ondol contributed to forest degradation and the forest ecosystem condition trapped in the early successional stage in the Korean Peninsula. The ecological changes were exacerbated by the Pine Policy with a singular focus on reserving Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora Siebold and Zucc.) for government uses. The policy failed to recognize basic needs of the public while countenancing an expansion of Ondol and a cultural preference for heated floors that propagated an increased use of biomass fuel. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing potential technology traps where a human innovation opened opportunities for more resource use. The lessons learned from old Korea show that bioeconomy transitions would require multifaceted governance responses while being cautious about being too closely tied to the dominant national agenda. Environmental history has much to offer for understanding the social and ecological systemic risks of the current technical developments. We call for more historical analogs from different parts of the world to “move forward by looking back”.

The rush of Western civilization, headed by Christianity, caused a considerable identity crisis in the 19th century Joseon dynasty. The founder of Donghak 東學, Suun Choe Je-u 水雲 崔濟愚, sought a way out of the crisis through religion. Suun contended that the religions of both east and west are grounded in the same Way of Heaven, and that it can be ascertained through an experience of mystical union induced by chanting a 21-character incantation. He also emphasized the importance of practicing this Way of Heaven in real life. According to him, the Western invasion is an act of selfishness, and goes against the Heavenly Way. The Heavenly Way is considered a foundation that enables communication and coexistence in a religiously diverse society. Despite the fact that his belief in the universality of the Heavenly Way is based on a personal experience—which is problematic to all mysticisms—Donghak provided a powerful discourse to deal with a variety of challenges of his time. In this age of religious pluralism, Suun’s universalism is significant in exploring the intellectual and spiritual foundation of the modern pluralistic thoughts of Korea.

Archaeoentomological investigations were conducted on soil contents from a grave belonging to the Joseon Dynasty as part of the Urban Environment Maintenance Project (UEMP) in Cheongjin 12-16 dong (districts), Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea, from December 01, 2008 to February 19, 2011. A total of 28 insect puparia with hard shells of the common green bottle fly Lucilia sericata were identified in the soil. Evidence suggested that the corpse was placed outside for some days instead of being buried immediately after death. This is the first report of fly puparia in soil samples from a tomb of the Joseon Dynasty during 16-17 AD in Korea. Our findings may help determine the timeframe of burial and offer archaeological insights into the funerary customs of the period.

In document of Koseon dynasty, the Chinese ships in the Ming dynasty with unknown origins were called Hwangdangseon. According to the regulations of the tributary system that had been built by the Ming dynasty of China, Joseon Dynasty was amenable to repatriate the Chinese ships. In 1552, the Joseon dynasty changed its policies upon Chinese drifting ships, forbidding the Chinese ships to be ashore. This policy demonstrated that Joseon dynasty began to renew its foreign policies of a servant attitude together with neighborhood friendship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a few osteological reports describe bone injuries thought to have been caused by falls from horses. Nevertheless, anthropological study alone is insufficient for establishing the correlates of such equestrian accidents. We therefore reviewed the records in Seungjeongwon ilgi (Diaries of the Royal Secretariat) and Joseon wangjo silrok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) of the Korea’s Joseon period (1392–1910 CE). Although the mechanisms of trauma were diverse, the Joseon documents recorded many injuries caused by horse-riding accidents. During 1625–1872 CE, equestrian-related accidents occurred almost every year, overwhelming other causes of trauma. In all horse-riding accidents (n = 142), 37.77% of the records offer detailed data about the traumatic mechanism. Injuries occurred most frequently to the extremities (79.58%), which were followed by the trunk (34.5%) and head (4.92%). Although we do not think that this attempt can explain every paleopathological case, our historical review shows that equestrian-related injuries could be considered as one of the major causes for the bone trauma observed among ancient equestrian people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty report that large-scale reformations undertaken by Jungjong, 11th king of the Joseon dynasty, were stopped after Kwang-Jo Cho was slandered and subsequently executed. Reportedly, a party opposing the reformations wrote a phrase on a leaf in the palace by using sugary water; subsequently, insects ingested the sugary parts of leaf and the phrase was left behind. The phrase means "Cho will become king" and Jungjong accepted the phrase as a warning sign from heaven that Cho was attempting a coup d'état. Although there are several historical records that report such insect writing, it has not been determined whether creating a phrase on a leaf by using insects is possible. In a field study conducted on Gwanak Mountain, Korea, we tested whether writing letters on leaves by insects is possible. The results showed no sign of selective insect ingestion creating the form of a letter on a leaf after sugary water was applied. There is a high possibility that incident was fictional; particularly when considering the complexity of the phrase and the life history and behavior of insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experience of persecution during the late Joseon and Japanese colonial period was not unusual for Korean Christians, who endured living as a minority faith within a hostile context. Like the pre-Constantinian Christian communities and many Christians today who live in the global South, suspicion and persecution defined their world as openly confessing Christians, and they embraced, as part of converting to Christianity, the stark reality that their faith could incur personal harm in the form of hostility, incarceration, and even death. This article explores how conversion and maintaining Christian faith in a society adverse to Christianity shaped believers' self-understanding of the breadth of faith and acceptance of its mortal implications. Focusing on the Catholic and Protestant experience in Korea, Christian believers rigorously tested the country's attitudes against Christianity. In so doing, their experience provokes a critical reflection on the profoundness of the missionary mandate and illuminates the complexity with which their faith is forged as they must confront the brutal reality that they may be, at the very least, arrested. For many Korean Christians during Joseon Dynasty and the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945), conversion to Christianity was part of the process that transformed for believers a religious identity that was understood to be potentially detrimental to their relationship with the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to introduce the foods recorded in「Bongjeopyoram」, a cookbook, of which the date of production and author are unknown. This was described in an old document belonging to the Hansan Lee family clan from Chungcheongnam-do and revealed its content and significance in the food culture history of Korea to academia for the first time, A close examination of「Bongjeopyoram」 showed that, as with other cookbooks from the Joseon Dynasty, it started with methods of making alcoholic beverages. This was followed by recipes for different types of food in the following order: rice cakes and confectioneries, jeol-sik (seasonal foods), daily meals, foods made for jesa (ancestral rites) or a feast, food for weddings, and food for sijeol-jesa (seasonal ancestral rites). The book contained a total of 18 types of alcoholic beverages, 11 types of rice cakes and confectioneries, 20 types of daily meals, 28 types of jeol-sik and food for sijeol-jesa, 12 types of food for jesa and feasts, and 37 types of food for weddings, for a total of 126 types of food and beverages.「Bongjeopyoram」 was an ancient cookbook with detailed records on how to carry out jesa, which was an important event hosted by jonggas, or the head family of a family clan, and how to receive and serve guests in the Joseon period. This book is expected to play a valuable role as a guidance with significance as a cookbook of a jongga from the Joseon Dynasty, a time when bongjesajeopbingaek (hosting jesa for one’s ancestors and serving one’s guest) was considered important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how the seventeenth-century discourses between the West and the Orient regarding Hamel and Joseon illustrate an antinomy whereby what is regarded as ‘true’ in one society can be defined as ‘false’ in another. Hamel who assumed that the West was superior to Joseon, encountered the antinomy in which their superior self-identity was not supported in Joseon society. However, in their Western discourse, Hamel disparaged Joseon’s people and casted them in the image of the Other who is inferior. On the other hand, Joseon considered itself as a culturally superior ‘little China’ and formed a dichotomous hierarchy with Hamel. This superior stature of Joseon was however shattered when dealing with Great Qing and Japan. In sum, the seventeenth-century discourses between the West and the Orient fall into an antinomy in which the same incident can be either true or false depending on who takes the position of the subject in the discourses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal porridge (藥粥) is made by putting rice or grains into a pot and boiling with water until a semi-liquid texture is obtained. Porridge is digested fast and absorbed by the body. Children or elderly people with weak digestive ability can eat it without difficulty. The authors of this literature focused on utilization of mung bean porridge (Nokdu-juk) based on SeungjeongwonIlgi (承政院日記), which is the daily record of the Royal Secretariat of the Joseon Dynasty from 1623 to 1910. Four cases were found. The first case used mungbean for treating fever diseases (熱症), the second as a meal alternative, the third for wound recovery, and the last case described the culture of the joseon dynasty. According to the actual cases in SeungjeongwonIlgi (承政院日記), mung bean porridge (Nokdu-juk) was actively used to lower fever and strengthen the spleen and stomach. When suffering from the after effects of a malignant tumor or serious liver disease (肝病), an infectious disease, or a serious physical wound, people ate mung bean porridge (Nokdu-juk). It is suggested that mung bean porridge (Nokdu-juk) can be used as an alternative food treatment for the current medical field due to the prevalence of pain-killers and psychotropic drug abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretical foundation of Joseon Neo-Confucianism, which started with the theory of the Principle and Material Force (Seongriseol), seeks for the fundamental values of all things in the universe by means of the theories of Cosmology (Ujuron) and Mind and Nature (Simseongron). The theory of Self-Cultivation (Suyangron) pursues ideal character training to reach the ultimate Noble Gentleman’s (Gunja) status; then established the theory of Fidelity (Yiriron), which stresses moral practice against injustice. These theories functioned organically with the theory of Ritual Formalities (Yeseol) and the theory of Statecraft Ideas (Gyeongseron), deeply rooted in Democentrism (Minbonjuyi), in order to realize Confucian ideas as methodological indicators. The theory of Four Beginnings and Seven Emotions (Sadanchiljeongron) extended to be the theories of the Principle’s Dominance (Juriron) and Material Force’s Dominance (Jugiron). Likewise, the theory of Sameness-Difference of Human Nature and Material Nature (Inmulseong Dongiron) became the Horak debates, which formed the Neo-Confucian academic genealogies of the Joseon dynasty.

In 1631 A.D. Jeong Duwon, an ambassador of the Joseon dynasty was sent to the Ming dynasty. There he met João Rodrigues, a Jesuit missionary, in Dengzhou of Shandong peninsula. The missionary gave the ambassador a number of results of latest European innovations. A detailed description on this event was written in `Jeong's official report regarding a message from an European country' () which is an important literature work to understand the event. Since the document was written in classical Chinese, we make a comprehensive translation to Korean with detailed notes. According to the report, the items that Rodrigues presented include four books written in Chinese that describe European discoveries about the world, a report on the tribute of new cannons manufactured by Portuguese in Macao, a telescope, a flintlock, a Foliot-type mechanical clock, a world atlas drawn by Matteo Ricci, an astronomical planisphere, and a sun-dial. We discuss the meaning of each item in the Korean history of science and technology. In particular, Jeong's introduction is an important event in the history of Korean astronomy, because the telescope he brought was the first one to be introduced in Korean history. Even though king Injo and his associates of the Joseon dynasty were well aware of the value as military armaments of new technologies such as telescopes, cannons, and flintlocks, they were not able to quickly adopt such technologies to defend against the military threat of Jurchen. We revisit the reason in view of the general history of science and technology of east-Asian countries in the 17th century.

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