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Culture and the State in Late Choson Korea (Harvard East Asian Monographs)

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CULTURE AND THE STATE IN LATE CHOSON KOREA is a collection of six essays, edited by JaHyun Kim Haboush and Martina Deuschler, about the middle and late period of the Yi Dynasty in Choson (now North and South Korea) between the 16th and 19th Centuries. Hidden beneath its academic exterior are some exquisite gems for scholars and students of Korean history. Recently, the study of Korean culture and history has started to improve and attract international attention. This volume is one of the best to date.

The scope of the book and the collective researches of the scholars puts Korean history in a better light vis-a vis Chinese, Japanese, and other national histories. The editors begin with the intention to approach the factional quarreling over Confucian doctrine as a legitmate area of study, instead of dismissing it as negative. These debates about Confucian orthodoxy, Buddhism, shamanism, and Christianity are treated for their impact on living Korean culture. Also, these debates are discussed in their international context and future relevance.

One point discussed is the effect the fall of the Ming Dynasty in China to the Mongols had on Choson and the Confucian, Buddhist, and Christian scholars involved. Because Choson had derived its legitimacy from the Chinese Emperor and conducted itself as a vassal, the fall of the center of civilization to barbarians caused great concern to the Choson elite. Choson Confucian scholars had to search the canonical texts and find legitimacy for Choson again.

The volume also discusses Buddhism and Christianity. the work of men, like Hyujong, Tasan, and Christian matyrs, like Peter Yun and his family, are treated in the context of Choson's Neo-Confucian elite searching for legitimacy. The last essay concerning Christianity and Neo-Confucianism provides a great service to students of philosophy and the history of philosophy, by delineating the differences between Thomism and Confucianism, and, in the process, gives insight into the conflicts between modern Korea's culture and that of the West.

The essays, concerning shamanism and Confucianism, and the rise of Confucian academies, also puts modern Korean culture in perspective. Current debates, concerning government reform, education, and gender relations, all appear different.

Although this volume, due to the six different styles of the authors, is technically difficult, it is never dry or irrelevant. The serious student of Korean and Asian studies will appreciate this volume for its depth of information, analytic acumen, and its cast of characters.

This book introduce on the 17c's Korean custum. Prof. Martina Deuchler teaching in London University. Late Choson dynusty, very changing stream priod. Korean's philosophical background also changing. This book is very special book on Korean history and philosophy.