Difference between revisions of "Goryeo"
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Goryeo, also known as Koryŏ, was a Korean kingdom lasting from [[918]] until [[1392]]. | Goryeo, also known as Koryŏ, was a Korean kingdom lasting from [[918]] until [[1392]]. | ||
| − | Goryeo was first established by Wang Geon, aka [[King Taejo of Goryeo]], in 918, and conquered United [[Silla]] in [[935]] | + | Goryeo was first established by Wang Geon, aka [[King Taejo of Goryeo]], in 918, and conquered United [[Silla]] in [[935]]. |
| − | The dynasty saw the first carving of woodblocks for a printing of the complete Buddhist Tripitaka, in [[1011]]-[[1087]]. | + | Goryeo adopted a system akin to the [[Chinese imperial examinations]] to find and appoint officials, in the 10th century; however, its political culture was far more dominated by Buddhist notions and rituals than by Confucian ones. The dynasty saw the first carving of woodblocks for a printing of the complete Buddhist Tripitaka, in [[1011]]-[[1087]]. |
| − | + | To the extent that Goryeo did perform Chinese/Confucian political rituals, it did so in ways that were often at odds with its subordinate, [[tribute|tributary]] status within the [[Sinocentric world order]]. Goryeo sent tributary embassies to [[Song Dynasty]] China from [[968]] to [[1020]]. But, the Goryeo Court practiced many things which Chinese models would have dictated were restricted only to the [[Emperor of China]], and which should not be performed by a tributary [[king]]. These included referring to the rulers of Goryeo, at times, as ''hwangje'' (C: ''huangdi''), ''p'yeha'' (C: ''bixia'', J: ''[tennô] heika''), or as “Son of Heaven of/on the East Sea” (東海天子), all terms implying an Imperial, rather than a kingly, status. Further, the kings of Goryeo often wore Imperial yellow, and referred to their realm as "all under Heaven" (K: ''cheonha'', C: ''tianxia'', J: ''tenka''). They emulated the Chinese model in granting their kings temple names ending in ''-jong'' (宗, C: ''-zong'') or ''-jo'' (祖, C: ''-zu''), performed sacrifices to Heaven and other rituals which were only supposed to be performed by an Emperor, and even claimed other peoples as tributaries, at times. Historian [[Evelyn Rawski]] describes all of these practices as a display of how a country like Korea can perform a role within the China-centered regional order, while simultaneously asserting a distinctive identity.<ref>Evelyn Rawski, ''Early Modern China and Northeast Asia: Cross-Border Perspectives'', Cambridge University Press (2015), 135-136.</ref> | |
| − | Goryeo | + | The height of production of Goryeo [[celadon]] wares, and the invention of moveable type, took place in the 12th-13th centuries. |
| + | |||
| + | Goryeo was invaded by the [[Liao Dynasty]] ([[Khitans]]) in the 990s, and by the [[Mongols]] beginning in [[1231]].<ref>Rawski, 130.</ref> The kingdom fell under Mongol control in [[1259]], but the dynasty is considered to have continued until 1392, when it was succeeded by the [[Joseon Dynasty]]. | ||
In [[1370]], two years after the founding of China's [[Ming dynasty]], [[King Gongming]] became the first king of Goryeo to receive investiture from the Ming.<ref>Tomiyama Kazuyuki, ''Ryûkyû ôkoku no gaikô to ôken'', Yoshikawa Kobunkan (2004), 34.</ref> | In [[1370]], two years after the founding of China's [[Ming dynasty]], [[King Gongming]] became the first king of Goryeo to receive investiture from the Ming.<ref>Tomiyama Kazuyuki, ''Ryûkyû ôkoku no gaikô to ôken'', Yoshikawa Kobunkan (2004), 34.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 10:18, 10 October 2016
- Korean/Japanese: 高麗 (Goryeo/Koryŏ, J: Kourai)
Goryeo, also known as Koryŏ, was a Korean kingdom lasting from 918 until 1392.
Goryeo was first established by Wang Geon, aka King Taejo of Goryeo, in 918, and conquered United Silla in 935.
Goryeo adopted a system akin to the Chinese imperial examinations to find and appoint officials, in the 10th century; however, its political culture was far more dominated by Buddhist notions and rituals than by Confucian ones. The dynasty saw the first carving of woodblocks for a printing of the complete Buddhist Tripitaka, in 1011-1087.
To the extent that Goryeo did perform Chinese/Confucian political rituals, it did so in ways that were often at odds with its subordinate, tributary status within the Sinocentric world order. Goryeo sent tributary embassies to Song Dynasty China from 968 to 1020. But, the Goryeo Court practiced many things which Chinese models would have dictated were restricted only to the Emperor of China, and which should not be performed by a tributary king. These included referring to the rulers of Goryeo, at times, as hwangje (C: huangdi), p'yeha (C: bixia, J: [tennô] heika), or as “Son of Heaven of/on the East Sea” (東海天子), all terms implying an Imperial, rather than a kingly, status. Further, the kings of Goryeo often wore Imperial yellow, and referred to their realm as "all under Heaven" (K: cheonha, C: tianxia, J: tenka). They emulated the Chinese model in granting their kings temple names ending in -jong (宗, C: -zong) or -jo (祖, C: -zu), performed sacrifices to Heaven and other rituals which were only supposed to be performed by an Emperor, and even claimed other peoples as tributaries, at times. Historian Evelyn Rawski describes all of these practices as a display of how a country like Korea can perform a role within the China-centered regional order, while simultaneously asserting a distinctive identity.[1]
The height of production of Goryeo celadon wares, and the invention of moveable type, took place in the 12th-13th centuries.
Goryeo was invaded by the Liao Dynasty (Khitans) in the 990s, and by the Mongols beginning in 1231.[2] The kingdom fell under Mongol control in 1259, but the dynasty is considered to have continued until 1392, when it was succeeded by the Joseon Dynasty.
In 1370, two years after the founding of China's Ming dynasty, King Gongming became the first king of Goryeo to receive investiture from the Ming.[3]
Goryeo first established formal relations with the Okinawan kingdom of Chûzan in 1389, three years before the dynasty fell, but relations are believed to have continued relatively uninterrupted through that transition. Goryeo also enjoyed imports from Southeast Asia, including sappanwood, aloeswood, and other tropical products, carried via Chinese or Japanese merchants.[4]
Kings of Goryeo
- King Taejo of Goryeo (r. 918-?)
- King Gwangjong (r. 925-975)
- King Yejong of Goryeo (r. 1105-1122)
| Preceded by: United Silla |
Goryeo Dynasty 918-1392 |
Succeeded by: Joseon |
References
- Gallery labels, Art of Korea, LACMA.
- ↑ Evelyn Rawski, Early Modern China and Northeast Asia: Cross-Border Perspectives, Cambridge University Press (2015), 135-136.
- ↑ Rawski, 130.
- ↑ Tomiyama Kazuyuki, Ryûkyû ôkoku no gaikô to ôken, Yoshikawa Kobunkan (2004), 34.
- ↑ Geoffrey Gunn, History Without Borders: The Making of an Asian World Region, 1000-1800, Hong Kong University Press (2011), 217.
