Intro to Premodern Korean Literature

🇰🇷Intro to Premodern Korean Literature Unit 5 – The Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Medieval Era

The Goryeo dynasty, spanning from 918 to 1392 CE, marked a pivotal era in Korean history. This period saw the rise of a centralized bureaucracy, the flourishing of Buddhism, and significant cultural achievements like the renowned celadon pottery and metal movable type printing. Goryeo's legacy shaped Korean identity, blending indigenous traditions with Chinese influences. The period's artistic, literary, and technological advancements, including the Tripitaka Koreana and the development of Korean poetry, continue to influence Korean culture today.

Historical Context and Rise of Goryeo

  • Goryeo dynasty emerged in 918 CE after the fall of the Unified Silla dynasty
  • Founded by Wang Geon, a prominent general who gained support from local aristocrats
  • Established its capital in Kaesong, which became a center for politics, culture, and commerce
  • Adopted a centralized bureaucratic system based on the Chinese model (civil service examinations)
  • Consolidated power by integrating the ruling class of the former Silla and Baekje kingdoms
    • Offered positions and titles to former rulers to gain their loyalty
  • Faced challenges from regional warlords and rebellions in the early years
  • Gradually expanded its territory to cover most of the Korean Peninsula by the 11th century
  • Maintained a balance of power with the neighboring Khitan Liao dynasty and later the Jurchen Jin dynasty

Key Political Developments

  • Implemented a system of local administration through provinces (do) and counties (gun)
    • Appointed centrally-controlled officials to govern these areas
  • Established a council of nobles (Jipsabu) to advise the king and handle important state affairs
  • Created a strong civil service system based on Confucian principles and meritocracy
    • Recruited talented individuals through the gwageo examination system
  • Introduced the Hopae system, a form of identification tag worn by all adult males for tax and labor purposes
  • Faced power struggles between the monarchy and the aristocracy
    • The aristocracy often challenged the king's authority and vied for political influence
  • Experienced a brief period of military rule under the Choe family in the 12th-13th centuries
  • Implemented land reforms to redistribute land to peasants and reduce the power of aristocratic landowners
  • Adopted a policy of diplomatic neutrality and tribute relations with neighboring powers to maintain stability

Social Structure and Daily Life

  • Society was hierarchical, with the king at the top, followed by the aristocracy, and then the commoners
  • The aristocracy (yangban) held most of the political power and owned large tracts of land
    • They were exempt from taxes and labor duties
  • The commoners consisted of peasants, artisans, and merchants
    • Peasants were the majority and engaged in agriculture, often as tenants on aristocratic lands
  • Slavery existed, with slaves (nobi) serving in households and government offices
  • Women's roles were primarily domestic, but some aristocratic women received education and participated in literary and artistic pursuits
  • Confucian values, such as filial piety and loyalty, heavily influenced family life and social interactions
  • Buddhism also played a significant role in daily life, with many people participating in religious practices and festivals
  • The development of movable type printing (Jikji) in the late Goryeo period increased the dissemination of knowledge and literature

Cultural and Artistic Achievements

  • Goryeo celadon pottery reached its peak, known for its unique green glaze and intricate designs
    • Celadon wares were highly prized and exported to neighboring countries
  • Buddhist art flourished, with the creation of exquisite sculptures, paintings, and illuminated scriptures
    • The Tripitaka Koreana, a collection of over 80,000 wooden printing blocks of Buddhist scriptures, was created during this period
  • Confucian academies (seowon) emerged as centers of learning and scholarship
  • The development of metal movable type printing in the 13th century revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge
    • The Jikji, the world's oldest extant book printed with movable metal type, dates back to 1377
  • Goryeo artists excelled in silk weaving, producing intricate and colorful designs
  • Painting styles evolved, with landscapes, portraits, and Buddhist themes being popular subjects
  • Music and dance performances were enjoyed in the royal court and during religious festivals
    • The court music tradition of Aak was introduced from China and adapted to Korean preferences

Literary Traditions and Notable Works

  • Literature during the Goryeo period was influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism
  • The Goryeo period saw the development of various literary genres, including poetry, prose, and historical writings
  • Goryeo poetry (Goryeo gayo) was characterized by its lyrical and expressive style
    • Poets such as Yi Gyu-bo and Yi In-ro were renowned for their works
  • The Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) compiled by Iryeon in the 13th century, recorded legends, folktales, and historical accounts of the Three Kingdoms period
  • The Goryeo-sa (History of Goryeo), compiled in the 15th century during the Joseon dynasty, provides a comprehensive account of the Goryeo period
  • Confucian scholars produced commentaries and interpretations of Chinese classical texts
  • Buddhist monks wrote philosophical treatises, poetry, and travelogues
    • Uicheon, a renowned monk, wrote the Sinpyeon jejong gyojang chongnok, a comprehensive catalog of Buddhist texts
  • The invention of the Korean alphabet (Hangul) in the 15th century during the Joseon dynasty made literacy more accessible to the general population

Religious Influences and Practices

  • Buddhism was the dominant religion during the Goryeo period, enjoying state support and patronage
    • Many temples and monasteries were built, such as the Buseoksa and Bulguksa temples
  • Buddhist schools, such as the Seon (Zen) and Gyo (Doctrinal) schools, flourished
    • Seon Buddhism emphasized meditation and personal enlightenment
  • Confucianism gained influence among the aristocracy and scholars
    • Confucian values, such as filial piety, loyalty, and social hierarchy, were promoted
  • Taoism also had a presence, particularly in the form of geomancy (pungsu) and divination practices
  • Shamanism, the indigenous religion of Korea, continued to be practiced by the common people
    • Shamans (mudang) conducted rituals for good harvests, health, and fortune
  • Syncretism between Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism was common
    • Many people incorporated elements of different religions into their daily lives
  • The state conducted regular Buddhist ceremonies and festivals, such as the Palgwanhoe (Eight Vows Ceremony)
  • Buddhist monasteries served as centers of learning, art, and culture
    • Monks were involved in various fields, including medicine, astronomy, and printing

Foreign Relations and Conflicts

  • Goryeo maintained complex relationships with neighboring powers, including China, the Khitan Liao dynasty, and the Jurchen Jin dynasty
  • Engaged in tributary relations with China, acknowledging Chinese suzerainty in exchange for trade and political benefits
    • Regularly sent envoys and tributes to the Chinese court
  • Faced invasions from the Khitan Liao dynasty in the early 11th century
    • Goryeo successfully repelled the invasions and maintained its independence
  • Established diplomatic and trade relations with the Song dynasty of China
    • Exchanged goods, such as Goryeo celadon and Chinese silk, along the trade routes
  • Encountered conflicts with the Jurchen Jin dynasty in the 12th century
    • The Jurchen invasions weakened Goryeo's political stability and led to a period of military rule
  • Engaged in maritime trade with Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East
    • Goryeo merchants played a significant role in the regional trade networks
  • Sent envoys and monks to Japan, facilitating cultural and religious exchanges
    • Buddhist monks from Goryeo introduced new Buddhist scriptures and practices to Japan
  • Maintained diplomatic relations with the Mongol Empire in the 13th century
    • Goryeo eventually succumbed to Mongol invasions and became a vassal state of the Mongol Yuan dynasty

Legacy and Impact on Korean History

  • The Goryeo dynasty laid the foundation for many aspects of Korean culture, art, and literature
  • Goryeo celadon pottery techniques and styles influenced later Korean ceramic traditions
  • The Tripitaka Koreana, created during the Goryeo period, remains an important cultural and religious artifact
    • It has been designated as a National Treasure of South Korea and a UNESCO Memory of the World
  • The invention of metal movable type printing in Goryeo paved the way for the development of printing technology in Korea and beyond
  • Confucian values and institutions, such as the civil service examination system, continued to shape Korean society in later dynasties
  • Buddhism, which flourished during the Goryeo period, left a lasting impact on Korean religious practices and art
  • The Goryeo period saw the development of a distinct Korean cultural identity, blending indigenous traditions with influences from China and other neighboring regions
  • The Goryeo dynasty's political and cultural achievements contributed to the foundation of the subsequent Joseon dynasty
  • Many of the literary works and historical records from the Goryeo period provide valuable insights into the society, culture, and politics of medieval Korea
  • The legacy of the Goryeo dynasty continues to be celebrated and studied in modern South Korea as an important part of the nation's cultural heritage


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.