V LIFE IN EARLY-CHOSON
2. Scholastic Activities, Science, Technology and Culture
(1) Promotion of Scholastic Activities
With the promotion of a king-centered Confucian government, since the beginning of its foundation the Choson Dynasty encouraged Confucian learning and supported its activities. The government and the conservative Confucian scholars who held governing powers set forth metaphysics as the guiding ideology and conducted research in pragmatic studies in order to stablize the lives of the people. Thus, through the Confucian scholars, scholarly activities were developed to a higher degree in the 15th century.
The successive sovereigns of Choson made great strides in the development of scholarly learning. Among them, King Sejong and King Songjong not only led the study of scholarly learning but also actively supported many scholars in their research.
King Sejong established a Chiphyon-jon (Hall of Worthies) where talented young scholars gathered to concentrate on their studies. King Songjong established the Hongmun-gwan as the institution to succeed Chiphyon-jon in order to provide hospitality and encouragement to scholars.
 
Han'gul, created under King Sejong's orders in 1443 and proclaimed in 1466. Designated National Treasure No.745.
 
In the 15th century, many notable scholastic achievements were made in many different fields. Many contributions in the fields of history, geography, agricultural science, medicine, language and phonology are especially evident.
In the 16th century, through the activities of the Sarim, the study of metaphysics flourished. Aside from this field, particular achievements did not develop in any other area.
 
(2) The Creation of Han'gul (Korean Alphabet)
In the past, Chinese characters were used in Korea to write. However, Chinese characters could not adequately express Korean words. Thus, early Koreans used, Idu which was a system based on sounds and meanings of Chinese ideographs, but there were many inconveniences in using this system as well. Because Choson lacked its own particular national alphabet, except for the intelligentsia, the general people could not understand the written language and thus experienced inconveniences in their lives. During the initial stages of the Choson Dynasty, as national consciousness rose, Choson took up the great cultural task of creating its own alphabet which came to be known as Han'gul (Hunmin chong'um). King Sejong made great efforts to create a system of letters which would be easy to learn and write.
After a long period of research, he succeeded in creating the alphabet Han'gul, and in 1446 he promulgated it to the world, referring to it as Hunmin chong'um.
Hunmin chong'um means "the correct sounds for the instruction of the people." It was named as such with the spirit of the King's love for his people. After the completion of Hunmin chong'um, the King made efforts to promote it by ordering his scholars to publish the Yongbi och'on-ga (The Dragon Flies to Heaven) and the Worin ch'ongang-jigok (The Moon Shines on a Thousand Rivers) in Hunmin chong'um.
Han'gul is easy to learn and systematic. It can, not only give expression to sounds, but its form is beautiful and was created on the basis of scientific theory. Thus, Koreans consider it to be one of the most superior systems of letters in the world.
As a result of the creation of Han'gul, the Korean people were able to possess pride as a cultured nation with its own unique national alphabet, thus boosting the national culture.
 
(3) Development of Metaphysics
Metaphysics was known as the study of Cheng Zhu or Zhuzi. It was introduced to our country from China at the end of the Koryo Dynasty and became the main current of Confucianism during the Choson Dynasty. Metaphysics greatly influenced politics, society and education during the Choson era and became the standard for an ethical and moral life.
In the initial stages of Choson, Chong To-chon and Kwon Kun made efforts to fix metaphysics as a political ideology. These scholars were referred to as the "government school" faction.
However, at the end of 15th century, a group of Sarim and metaphysical scholars centered around a scholar named Kim Chong-chik. Metaphysics in Choson thus further developed as a result of these scholars. In the 16th century, metaphysics became a subject of even deeper study and philosophical disputes continued. Yi Hwang and Yi I were great metaphysicians of this era and were the twin stars of metaphysics in Choson.
 
Books authorized by Yi hwang
 
Yi Hwang, as the chief theorist in metaphysics, trained many disciples including Yu Song-nyong and became the master of the Yongnam school. Yi I, as the chief proponent of Confucian materialism, established the system of Choson metaphysics and nurtured Kim Chang-saeng and many other scholars who became the masters of the Kiho hakp'a. During the 16th century the Sowon which had been built in various places included the Paekundong sowon, erected by Chu Se-bung, a Kun official in P'ungki. It was named Sosu sowon by the King and was later granted both land and slaves. These Sowons which were named by the state and provided with land and slaves were called Sa'aek sowons. Afterwards, the local scholars in each of the various regions erected many Sowons, and the number of Sa'aek sowons which were supported by the state increased daily. The scholars gathered in the Sowons to study metaphysics and educate their disciples. In this way, scholastic activities on the research of metaphysics steadily continued.
 
Sillok of the Chosun Dynasty.
 
(4) Increase in the Compilation of Books
During the beginning of Choson, national books were actively compiled. Books on the subjects of history, geography, military, Confucianism, morality and others. were published in relatively large numbers. The successive monarchs and ruling classes made great efforts to compile books on history. By compiling the history of the Koryo Dynasty, the books Koryosa and Koryosa choryo were published. The Tongguk t'onggam was published in order to provide an outline of national history.
From the beginning of the Choson Dynasty, attempts to compile the Sillok, the records of successive Kings, continued. This was done in order to inform the present King of the history of his predecessors which enabled him to use the information as a political model during his reign. Under the reign of King T'aejong, the T'aejo sillok was compiled and historical records of the successive Kings were published. Four copies of each of these Sillok were printed and preserved in each of the four libraries.
Today, the Sillok of the Choson Dynasty are a proud possession of Korean culture as a precious heritage and have become an important document in the study of the history of the Choson period.
 

Honilkangni-do Replica of the original
created in 1402 during the Chosun Dynasty.
(146*164 cm)

Angpu iryong : A type of sundial made
in 1434 during the Chosun Dynasty
under King Sejong's rule
Tongguk-chido, Colorized replica at the
original created in 1463 during the
Chosun Dynasty (146*97 cm)
Ch'uk'ugi : A device that measures the
amount of rainfall.
Designated Treasure No. 561.
 
For administrative and national defense needs, compilations on geography and maps were actively carried out. The P'altochiri-ji and Tongguk yoji sungnam were compiled as geographic documents and the Honilgangni-do is the oldest existing map of the world from East Asia and the Tongguk-chido is a map of Korea which was made by utilizing scientific instruments.
To strengthen national defense, studies on military strategy were printed, of which the most famous are the Pyongjang tosol and Tongguk pyonggam. Pyongjang tosol is a military training guide and Tongguk pyonggam is a military text on the history of war.
Many books about Confucianist morality and ceremony were also compiled. The Samgang haengsil-do (Deeds of Three Bonds Illustrated) and Hyohaeng-nok were compiled in order to propagate Confucianist morality and the Kukcho oryeui was compiled to formalize the standard of national ceremonies and events.
 
(5) Development of Agriculture and Astronomy
 
Hourglass
 
The Choson Dynasty placed emphasis on the welfare of its farmers. Accordingly, during this time, studies on agriculture were actively carried out and many books on agriculture were printed. Among them, the Nongsa chiksol (The Farmers Handbook) and the Kumyang chamnok (Miscellaneous Records) are representative of books which were compiled in order to improve agricultural methods and increase production.
The field of astronomy was a field of study which had great bearing on the lives of farmers. Knowledge of astronomy not only provided the basis of one's outlook on the universe but also was the basis for developing an accurate almanac.
Because the almanac provides necessary and useful information for agriculture, a nation based on agriculture held such a book precious.
To make astronomic observations, there were government-run Kwansang-gam. In Kwansang-gam, the Honui and Kanui (two kinds of measuring instruments) were built and used to compile the almanac. In this way, a calendar based on Korea's system of calculating dates known as the Ch'ilchongsan naep'yon was published and a calender utilizing the Islamic system of calculating dates known as the Ch'ilchongsan oep'yon was also developed.
 
(6) Medicine, Science and Technology
In the initial stages of Choson, activities to develop technology were encouraged in order to stabilize the livelihood of the people and build a wealthy and powerful nation. In the 15th century, great developments in science and technology were made and great achievements in medicine as well.
The Hyangyak chipsongbang and Uibang yuch'wi (medical dictionary) are books representative of medical texts which were compiled in the early years of Choson. The former is a book which explains the treatments provided by certain locally produced drugs as well as other methods of treatment. The latter is a medicinal encyclopedia which is still being used as a basic text of Chinese medicine.
Science and technology developed in many fields. Brilliant development was made in agriculture. Under the reign of King Sejong, the world's first gauge to measure rainfall was invented in 1441. It was made 200 years ahead of its western counterpart. The sundial and water clock were made as measuring devices of time and for land surveying, the Injiui was invented. Both Chang Yong-sil and Yi Ch'on played large roles in developing these machines.
The metal types which had been used during the Koryo period were further developed in the early years of the Choson Dynasty. Technological developments in papermaking made the production of a great many books possible. Excellent copper types used during this time were the Kyemi-ja and Kabin-ja.
The technology of making weapons also improved. The gun-powder arsenal which was used at the close of the Koryo Dynasty was further improved to make cannons and flame-throwers. Among warships, the Kobukson (iron-clad destroyers) and the Pigo-toson, a small and swift battleship were made in quantity. Thus, by the 15th century, the national defense capabilities of Choson were strengthened.
 
White porcelain with
underglaze iron
decoration. 16th century
18th century with porcelain
with a grape design
Four landscapes : Attributed to
An Kyon (1418~?). four album
leaves. ink and light colors on silk
 
Akhak kwebom : A music book compiled
during the Chosun Dynasty under
King Songjong.
Namdaemun : South Gate of Seoul.
National Treasure No.1.
 
(7) The Activities of Arts and Letters in the Early Period of Choson
Chinese literature formed the main current of literary activities in early Choson and after the invention of Han'gul, national literature also gradually gained popularity.
The civilian bureaucrats were especially active in the field of Chinese literature. The Tongmunson is a famous anthology of selected Korean poems compiled by So Ko-jong. In the area of national literature, developments were made in the writing of poems for songs which became known as the literature of song. Among the forms of songs, the lyrics of Chong Ch'ol's Songgang songs are particularly noted and among shorter songs, the compositions of Yun Son-do and Hwang Chin-i were unsurpassed.
Court music during the Choson Dynasty was developed through the activities of Pak Yon under the reign of King Sejong. Pak Yon made and improved many musical instruments. He composed music which became the basis of court music known as A-ak. Under the reign of King Songjong, Song Hyon compiled a music encyclopedia referred to as the Akhak kwebom.
In the general society, peasant music, monk dances, shaman dances, and folk dances were performed. Mask theatre known as Sandae nori, and puppet theatre known as Kkotugaksi norum were also popular.
Among painters of this period, An Kyon, Yi Sang-jwa, and Kang Huian were famous. An Kyon and Yi Sang-jwa were specialized painters who were members of Tohwaso (a government art institute) and drew the "Mong'yu towon-do" and "Songha powol-do" respectively. Kang Hui-an, a Yangban bureaucrat-painter, drew the "Kosa kwansu-do" (Sage at Rest on a Rock). Among calligraphers, Prince Anp'yong, Kim Ku, Han Ho, and Yang Sa-on were unsurpassed. They are referred to as the four great writers of early Choson.
In the Choson Dynasty, ceramics reflecting the lives of the common people were created. At first, works in the Punch'ong sagi porcelains were made in large quantities and gradually white porcelain became the main material used in ceramics. The white porcelain, in particular, displays a refined and clean beauty which appealed to the taste of many illustrious officials.
Among the works of architecture from the first stage of the Choson Dynasty, Namdaemun (Sungryemun) and Tonhwamun of Ch'angdok Palace are the most famous. Among the 16th century architectural works, the Tosan sowon, and the Oksan sowon notably represent the buildings of this time. The 10-story stone pagoda on the ruins of the Won'gaksa Temple is representative of the stone pagodas of the Choson period. This later became the model for the 10-story stone pagoda in the Kyongch'onsa Temple of later Koryo.