The Land of Scholars: Two Thousands Years of Korean Confucianism

This book discusses the historical development of Korean Confucianism in terms of its social functions. It also examines the types of transfiguration Confucianism underwent and the role it played in each period of Korean history. The Land of Scholars spans from the Three Kingdoms period in 18 BC to the Joseon dynasty in 1910. The book not only gives a comprehensive and in-depth survey of the history of Korean Confucian thought but also touches on the transmission of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity in Korea. Kang Jae-eun approaches the significance of Confucianism from the perspective of its cultural and social context. He explains Confucianism from a viewpoint that reflects on exchanges between Korea and Japan and the broader context of East Asian relationships. Kang also challenges the views of some Korean academics whose works on Confucianism are considered to be distortions and misinterpretations. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in 1926 in Korea, Kang Jae-eun earned his PhD in literature from Kyoto University in Japan. For twenty-two years, he has been the editor of Samcheolli (Three thousand li) and Cheonggu (Korea), quarterly magazines that act as a forum and compass for Korean residents in Japan. Professor Kang is regarded as one of the foremost historians that led the Japanese academia after the liberation of Korea. His other books include Modern Thoughts of Korea and A Study of the Modern History of Korea in Japanese. ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR A Korean-American, Suzanne Lee graduated from University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in psychology. She is interested in Korean studies and her current study/research focus is Korean philosophy. This Book Discusses The Historical Development Of Korean Confucianism In Terms Of Its Social Functions. It Also Examines The Types Of Transfiguration Confucianism Underwent And The Role It Played In Each Period Of Korean History. The Land Of Scholars Spans From The Three Kingdoms Period In 18 Bc To The Joseon Dynasty In 1910. The Book Not Only Gives A Comprehensive And In-depth Survey Of The History Of Korean Confucian Thought But Also Touches On The Transmission Of Buddhism, Confucianism, And Christianity In Korea. Kang Jae-eun Approaches The Significance Of Confucianism From The Perspective Of Its Cultural And Social Context. He Explains Confucianism From A Viewpoint That Reflects On Exchanges Between Korea And Japan And The Broader Context Of East Asian Relationships. Kang Also Challenges The Views Of Some Korean Academics Whose Works On Confucianism Are Considered To Be Distortions And Misinterpretations. -- From Back Cover. 1. What Is Confucianism? -- 2. Did Gija Joseon Really Exist? -- 3. Confucianism In The Three Kingdoms Period -- 4. Confucianism In The Late Silla Period -- 5. Goryeo, The Land Of Buddhism -- 6. Seongjong Elevates Confucianism -- 7. The National University And Twelve Private Schools -- 8. Is The Period Of Military Regime The Dark Age? -- 9. The Learning Of Master Zhu Comes To Korea From Yuan China -- 10. Transition In Dynasty, From Goryeo To Joseon -- 11. Jeong Do-jeon And Gweon Geun As The Two Greatest Masters Of Confucian Nation -- 12. Bureaucrats Armed With The Learning Of Master Zhu -- 13. Sejong And Sejo, Kings Of Achievements -- 14. The Sarim Faction Emerges And Literati Purges Continue -- 15. Dispute On The Study Of The Principle Of Human Nature Shakes The Political And Scholastic World -- 16. Situation In East Asia Becomes Chaotic Again -- 17. Is Sino-centrism Truly Justified? -- 18. Practical Learning Blooms During The Reigns Of Enlightened Rulers Yeongjo And Jeongjo -- 19. The World Is Changing -- 20. Closed Kingdom To Open Kingdom -- 21. At The Crossroads Of Conservatism And Modernization. By Kang Jae-un ; Translated From The Korean By Sook Pyo Lee. Original Title Unknown. Includes Index. Table of Contents A Word from the Author A Word from the Translator (Japanese to Korean) A Note from the Translator (Korean to English) Preface 1. What Is Confucianism? 2. Did Gija Joseon Really Exist? 3. Confucianism in the Three Kingdoms Period 4. Confucianism in the Late Silla Period 5. Goryeo, the Land of Buddhism 6. Seongjong Elevates Confucianism 7. The National University and Twelve Private Schools 8. Is the Period of Military Regime the Dark Age? 9. The Learning of Master Zhu Comes to Korea from Yuan China 10. Transition in Dynasty, from Goryeo to Joseon 11. Jeong Do-jeon and Gwon Geun as the Two Greatest Masters of the Confucian Nation 12. Bureaucrats Armed with the Leaming of Master Zhu 13. Sejong and Sejo, Kings of Achievements 14. The Sarim Faction Emerges and Literati Purges Continue 16. Situation in East Asia Becomes Chaotic Again 17. Is Sino-Centrism Truly Justified? 18. Practical Leaming Blooms during the Reigns of Enlightened Rulers Yeongjo and Jeongjo 19. The World Is Changing 20. Closed Kingdom to Open Kingdom 21. At the Crossroads of Conservatism and Modernization Index