🇰🇷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.
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