Geography and Time

The Joseon Dynasty, (sometimes called the Hermit Kingdom) was a kingdom that existed on what is now the whole of the Korean Peninsula from 1392-1910 CE. It was a time of great change in Korea; one of innovation, and invasion. One of technology, and treachery. One of great social change, and grinding conservatism. In short, the Joseon Dynasty was many of the things that now define our modern age, and we can learn much though its careful analysis. In this series of posts I hope simply to touch on some of the aspects which made Korea at this time so unique in the hopes that those interested will use the information here as a springboard to their own studies; not simply of the Joseon Dynasty, but of all cultures.

The Location of the Joseon Dynasty in the world (Fredericks, R. 2014)

The provinces of the Joseon Dynasty (Korea.net, 2014)

Provinces of the Joseon Dynasty (Fredericks, 2014)

Joseon Dynasty Timeline with General Timeline

Joseon Dynasty Timeline		General Timeline
Date	Event	Date	Event
1392 CE	The Joseon Dynasty forms after general Yi Songgye overthrows the Mongol Goryeo king Kongyang, said to be the worst king in Korea’s history, installs a new king on the throne, (King Gongyang) who does not wish to be king, grants his wish of being removed from power, and becomes king himself.	1412-1431 CE	Life of Joan of Arc.
1419-1450 CE	Reign of King Sejong, the most respected person in Korean history.	1453 CE	Constantinople is taken over by the Ottomans under Sultan Muhammed II.
1441 CE	Cheugugi (rain gauge) is invented by Jang Yong-Sil.	1492 CE	The Alhambra, (the last Moorish fortress in Spain) falls to the Spanish. Christopher Columbus sets sail for the Americas.
1443 CE	Hangul is invented by King Sejong and his wise men. It will be released to the general public 3 years later.	1519-1521 CE	A group of 500 Spanish soldiers under Hernan Cortez destroy the Aztec Empire.
April 1592-1598 CE	The Imjin war. (Japan against Joseon Dynasty Korea and Ming China) The Japanese attempt to invade Korea, and through extension China, (really their main goal was invading China, but they had to go through Joseon Dynasty Korea to get there) with 200,000 troops. The Koreans suffer heavy losses at first, and it seems as though the Japanese will take over the entire country, until the brilliant admiral Yi Sun-sin rekindles an old invention that had never gotten off the ground in more peaceful times and invents the first operational armoured warships, called Kobukson, (Turtle Ship) and uses them with existing ships to great effect in several battles, cutting off the Japanese supply lines. Ming China also sends about 100,000 troops to help the relatively unorganized 60,000 Korean troops defending their homeland. (The Joseon Dynasty was not prepared for this war at all) The Japanese are driven back; until 1597 when they attempt a second invasion, but are again defeated. On their way off of the Korean peninsula the remaining Japanese troops kidnap many smart people, and steel many books to take back to Japan as they valued the Korean’s knowledge. The Ming Chinese troops who had been so helpful in beating back the Japanese now returned to Ming China, pillaging the Korean countryside as they went. The war officially ends with the death of the leader of Japan Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Devastation that Joseon Dynasty Korea received in this war has been compared to affected areas in a world war.	1564-1616 CE	Life of William Shakespeare.
1637 CE	After numerous invasions by the Manchu tribe to the North of the Korean peninsula, Joseon became a vassal state of the Manchu, who later took over Ming China and formed the Qing Dynasty. Joseon decides it has had enouth of the outside world, which for quite some time has only seemed to bring war and suffering to them, The dynasty closes its borders to the rest of the world and becomes the Hermit Kingdom.	1638-1715 CE	Life of Louis XIV. (The sun king)
1866-1882 CE	Various nations attempt to make diplomatic contact with the Joseon Dynasty. At first peacefully, then after repeated refusals on the part of the Joseon government, militarily. All fail until Japan forces Korea to open 3 of its ports to Japanese trade.	1775 CE	The American Revolution begins.
1882 CE	Joseon opens its borders to the rest of the world and makes contact with many Western countries, partially to try and counter the increasing economic and political influence Japan has been exerting over Korea.	May 24th 1819-January 22ed 1901	Life of Queen Victoria.
1882-September 1905 CE	Power struggle after power struggle by the nations surrounding Joseon to gain influence in the Joseon government. Many short wars, none of which were started by the Joseon Dynasty or even involved Joseon dynasty Korea militarily, take place on the peninsula. Several rebellions take place, as well as a drought followed by a flood and people start to emigrate from the country. (Something that almost never happened as people who lived in Joseon generally greatly valued living where they did despite the wars which occasionally devastated the region) The power struggles finally came to an end when Japan won the Russo-Japanese war, (1904-1905) and unofficially took control of the Joseon Government.	1867 CE	Canada becomes a country.
1910 CE	Japan officially takes over the Joseon, Emperor Yung-hui, (Joseon switched from having Kings to having emperors in 1897) is forced to abdicate and the Joseon Dynasty comes to an end.	1914 CE	World War I begins.

King Sejong (ARIRANG, 2013)

Amiral Yi Sun-sin (ARIRANG, 2013)

Social Structure

There was a definite social structure in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty with the king, on top and cheomin (low born/despised people) at the bottom, with a patriarchal attitude throughout society. There were a few who chose not to let society dictate how they lived however.

Traditionally, a person could Increase their rank in society through education, but not by becoming wealthy or serving in the military

Joseon Society was divided into 5 basic levels: cheomin, sangmin, chungin, yangban, and the king and royal family. Sangmin and chungin could raise their social status through education. (Fredericks, 2014)

At the top of society was the king who had ultimate say in matters, followed by the other members of the royal family. (The Yi family) All were expected to follow the rules of court extricate at all times.

The late Joseon Royal Family (or at least part of it) (Rddadger, 2009)

The next level down was occupied by the yangban, (aristocrats) who worked mainly as civil officials, military officials, scholars, and other high level positions. The members this prestigious group were usually wealthy, and wielded quite a bit of power, even at at the beginning of the dynasty, which only multiplied in Joseon’s later years until they would eventually rival the king in terms of influence and would act in a similar way to how the feudal lords of Europe and Japan had operated. (They could be oppressive to the lower classes) They were educated landowners, who had completed an examination to gain their rank, (also giving their family status as yangban, all the way to seventh cousins) (which was semi-hierarchal once achieved. (Lasted 3 generations without another member of the family passing an examination) exempting them from military service, and allowing them to collect taxes from their tenants, (both for themselves, and for the government) but were not subject to taxation themselves.

Male Yangban in their distinctive robes with horsehair hat (KoreanHistory.info, n.d.)

The next level down was occupied by the chungin (middle people) who worked as: accountants, administrators, artists, astronomers, calligraphers, doctors, de facto rulers in their local area, interpreters, jurists, local magistrates, professional military officers, translators and other occupations. This group also included the illegitimate children of yangban and concubines, and could sometimes be oppressive to the lower classes, and they were essentially yangban who had not completed the examinations necessary to gain the title and status of yangban. They were exempted from military service and taxes.

Chunggin at home (The Talking Cupboard, 2012)

The next level down was occupied by the sangmin (common people) who worked as: craftsmen, farmers, fishermen, laborers, merchants, and peasants (tenant farmers) among other occupations and comprised approximately 75% of the population During the Joseon Dynasty, though they did not have family names. They were subject to military draft and often endured heavy taxes, (often as much as 50% of their income) causing many to be poor financially and making it very difficult for them to rise in society through education. They were seen as “clean” by the upper classes. 

Sangmin craftsman (The Independent, 2011)

The bottom level was occupied by the cheomin (low born/despised people) who worked as: acrobats, actors, Buddhist monks/nuns, butchers, concubines, executioners, exorcists, gisaeng, (female entertainers who were trained in dance, poetry, and singing) grave diggers, hunters, jail keepers, magicians, metalworkers, mudang, (shamans) nobi, (slaves) professional mourners, servants, shoemakers, and tanners among other occupations, as well as beggars, and nomads were not allowed to live inside towns, or take examinations to improve their status, and did not have family names. Many nobi were people who were being punished for crimes, or not paying depts., but some people became slaves voluntarily in order to escape poverty, and still others were part of slave families which had been owned the upper classes for generations.  Many of these generational nobi went out into the mountains and formed bandit groups. This group was considered “unclean” and often discriminated against by the upper classes. They were exempted from military service, and taxes.

A cheomin butcher (The Talking Cupboard, 2012)

A cheomin nobi (slave) (note the identifying tattoo on the right cheek) (The Talking Cupboard, 2012)

Norms/Values

Norms and values in the Joseon Dynasty were heavily influenced by Confucianism putting a great emphasise on having a structured, hierarchal society in which order, (in theory) would thrive. Also partially as a result of Confucianism were the two values which defined the Joseon Dynasty more than any others: education and family. As with most aspects of the society, Values seem to have been placed in a hierarchical order of importance.

This chart illustrates those values

Primary values (very highly valued)	Secondary values (highly valued)	Tertiary values (valued)	Quaternary values (drifting value)
.Education (passing exams, studying hard, teachers .Family (ancestors, elders, family togetherness, hyo, (filial piety) genealogy)	.Art .Hard work .Religion	.Being respectful .Cleanliness .Good news .Good quality of life .Guests .Nature .Patriotism .Peace .Politeness .Saving Money .The Joseon Dynasty (home) .Things of great age .Unity	.Conformity (less common at the beginning of the dynasty, more common in the middle, mixed at the end) .Individuality/personal accomplishments (More common at the beginning of the dynasty, less common in the middle, mixed at the end

One of the most important of these values was hyo, (filial piety) which emphasized respect for one’s parents and placed great emphasis on children putting their parents, (and elders) first and working to be the best people they could be.

A child bowing to his family as a sign of hyo (filial piety) (Chung, 2012)