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

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