Goryeo

An iron Buddha from the 10th or 11th century, in display at the British Museum

• 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. Beginning in the 10th century, Goryeo adopted a system akin to the Chinese imperial examinations to find and appoint officials.

The dynasty saw the first carving of woodblocks for a printing of the complete Buddhist Tripitaka, in 1011-1087.

The height of production of Goryeo celadon wares, and the invention of moveable type, was in the 12th-13th centuries.

Goryeo was invaded by the Mongols beginning in 1231, and fell under Mongol control in 1259, but the dynasty is considered to have continued until 1392, when it was succeeded by the Joseon Dynasty.

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.

Kings of Goryeo

• King Taejo of Goryeo (r. 918-?)
• King Gwangjong (r. 925-975)

Preceded by: United Silla

Joseon Dynasty 918-1392

Succeeded by: Joseon

References

• Gallery labels, Art of Korea, LACMA.