• Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
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• 2017.04a
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• pp.153-153
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• 2017

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.73-90
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• 2018

The Silk Road tied the globe together for the first time by producing an early globalization phenomenon. Some consider that the ancient Silk Road disintegrated around the $18^{th}$ century CE due to the fall of the Muslim empires and the kingdoms between Asia and Europe. However, the maritime trade among East Asia and the Spanish dominion on the American continent reactivated the ancient Silk Road on some levels, and maintained trade dynamics until the $19^{th}$ century. This was possible because of Mexican silver and trade spots. Notwithstanding its historical background, Mexico seems so far away from the new Silk Road, or the Belt and Road Initiative in the $21^{st}$ century. Thus, this paper analyzes Mexico's historic and current role concerning the Silk Road. First, I conceptualize and compare the ancient Silk Road and Belt and Road Initiative through the lens of complex interdependence theory. I propose that, unlike the ancient Silk Road, the Belt and Road Initiative is a case of an induced complex interdependence. Second, I study the Manila Galleons' dynamics in order to trace the ancient ties with the Silk Road. I emphasize Mexican silver's contribution to East Asian economies and the importance of Mexico's role in the East Asia-Spanish trade. Consequently, I analyze Mexico's position in the Belt and Road Initiative. Finally, I present some concluding remarks about Mexico's role in the Silk Road.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.18
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• pp.101-122
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• 2004

When people discuss the continental cultural elements in the ancient East Asian culture, people always attach great importance to the two major cultures of Confucianism and Taoism, but offer little explanation to the significant influence of the theory of yin and yang, the important philosophical base of the two major cultures. The theory of yin and yang, existing as the theoretical source at a profounder level, possesses philosophical connotations that are always embedded into the mainstream of thought, religions and customs, displaying its unique glamour in its unique way. Its influence is more than that, however. It has exerted far-reaching influence on and is of significant importance to the development of the ancient culture of East Asia. This article aims at exploring this field of study. After the erudite scholar of The Five Classics made a voyage to the east in the early sixth century, The Book of Changes, the most important Chinese ancient classic expounding the theory of yin and yang, started to circulate among the Japanese court, via Baiji in the Korea Peninsula. As a result, the theory of yin and yang found its way to Japan. Examining the spreading channels, we learn that the theory's dissemination was largely related to the activities of Buddhist monks. Shoutoku Prince, regent of Japan at the time, was himself an enthusiastic supporter of Buddhism and was excelled in the study of The Book of Changes and the theory of yin and yang. In the Twelve Ranks System and Seventeen-article Constitution promulgated by Shoutoku Prince, the influence of the theory of yin and yang and of the theory of the five elements can be visibly discerned. This obviously proves the sublime status of the Chinese theory of yin and yang in Japan, thanks to the victory of the political clique that adored Buddhism. In the shaping course of ancient Japanese culture, the theory of yin and yang served as an important philosophical source of its development. Mythology based on Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, two earliest Japanese books that exist today, record mythological stories about the emergence of the Japanese nation. The notion about the birth of heaven and earth and the forming of Japanese Shinto, expressed in the mythological stories, not only tell us the source and historical progress of the Japanese nation but also the nation's world outlook in the transition from barbarian period to civilized period, as well as the basis for its philosophical thinking. All these were marked with profound influence of the Chinese theory of yin and yang. The theory of yin and yang, as one of the ancient Chinese academic thoughts, was accepted asa political belief when it first spread to Japan. The emergence and establishment of both the Mikado system and the centralized regime in ancient Japan drew largely on the theory of yin and yang and adopted it as an important philosophical basis to deify and aggrandize the "imperial power" so as to protect the authority of the imperial ruling and consolidate the established regime. Following the continuous strengthening and expansion of the centralized state power, the theory of yin and yang was further employed, and gradually "hidden" in Japanese culture with the passage of time, finally becoming the edge tool of ancient Japanese Mikados in exercising political power and controlling the country.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.1-21
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• 2021

This study traced the origin and transformation of word library linked with archives in the ancient Near East, and Greece and Rome. First, the word library has two origins. One is derived from the Latin bibliothēkē from the ancient Greek βιβλιοθήκη. The first trace is Pollux's Onomasticon in the second half of the 2nd century, and if considered as a set of literature texts, it is Lipsius's De Bibliothecis Syntagma in 1602. The other was established as an library in the early 14th century after Latin libraria (or librarium) was translated into Old French librairie (or librarie). The word library was coined by Chaucer in 1374. Second, the clay tablet repository that existed in the ancient Near East is close to an archive, but the official name is unknown. However, the Ashurbanipal clay tablet archive is far from the principle of respect for original order and origins emphasized by the archivists, so it is not a royal archive, but a prototype of the royal library. And the official name of the Library of Alexandria was 'Βιβλιοθήκη της Αλεξάνδρειας', and then it was changed to 'ALEXANDRINA BYBLIOTHECE'. Third, In ancient Greece and Rome, archives and libraries were separated. Greece libraries were at the level of a small libraries attached to gymnasiums, and had few independent titles. The names of the Roman libraries often attached to the public baths were mixed with βιβλιοθήκη and Bibliotheca. Finally, the ancient library was succeeded to the cathedral bibliothek, and was transformed into 'bayt al-hikmah' in the Islamic Empire. In Japan, China, and Korea, Japanese-Chinese word library was accepted at the end of the 19th century, but there are many issues that require follow-up research.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.51-61
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• 2009

Objective: Much has been known that the systematical theory of acupuncture was developed from stone needle as therapeutic tools for orthopedic diseases in ancient times. Stone needle is very old therapeutic method like moxibustion and has been recognized that it was developed since the Stone Age in China so far. In the present study, it was examined for the origination and formation of stone needle based on stone relics of the Stone Age in Korean Peninsular, the medical and geographical literatures. Materials and methods: The facts of stone needle was examined and arranged on the ancient medical or geographical literatures such as The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, Shanhaijing as an ancient geographical book, etc. The clan societies and family related to an origination of stone needle was chased together with their cultural characteristics and origination. The stone relics which have been digged out of historic sites in the North-East Asia were examined for a relevance to stone needle. Results: In The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, it was referred to the stone needle that originated from a fishery zone related to the east coast district in North-East Asia. Through the examination of Shan Hai Jing as an ancient geographical book and its historical reviews, a Go-yi clan society who keep Go's family tree dealt well with the stone needle and jewels including jade in the North-East Asia before the publication periods of The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, and is comprised in the culture of Dong-yi clan society but not the Chinese culture. The obsidian stones, which have been digged out of historical sites in the North-East Asia since the Stone Age, are originated from volcanic areas combined with seashore that seems to be Baekdu mountain district in Korea and Kyushu district in Japan. Furthermore, obsidian stone tools which were found out at Laodung peninsula and the Korean peninsula are archeologically similar to the stone needle with regards to the shape, size and dual-use. In addition, specific obsidian stone tools have been used in orthopedic surgery as well-crafted obsidian blades have a cutting edge up to five times sharper than high-quality steel surgical scalpels. Conclusion: The origin of obsidian stone needle is well corresponded to the explanation about that of the stone needle. It is suggested that the stone needle which influenced in completion of acupuncture and Meridian theory in China seems to be an obsidian stone, and distribution of obsidian stone needle has been closely connected to Dong-yi clan society which are lived in the North-East Asia including Baekdu-mountain district.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2016

Iran's relations with the Far East date back to the Parthian Period. Despite this, the collapse of the Sasanian Empire and the escape of Yazdgird's survivors is currently being re-evaluated as the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral ties, especially between Iran and China and Iran and Silla. In a chapter of $Ku{\check{s}}-n{\bar{a}}meh$ (KN), the text describes Silla (an individual's name) as the father of the people of Silla (toponym). In this paper, I have tried to give a reasonable interpretation for this narration by KN. Also I have frequently referred to other texts to present a comparative study that supports my claim.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.13-19
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• 2013

In this paper, we design and develop an educational virtual system which can experience Goguryeo tomb murals in the virtual world. Goguryeo tomb murals are well known in the world, and they are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site by the value Acknowledged worldwide. We design an user-friendly interface for Goguryeo tome murals by Flash, and make a modelling and rendering with 3D Max. In addition, we create an educational animation with Adobe Premiere. We choose some of items such as Goguryeo tomb murals, historical sites, high-level description of periodization, Goguryeo's clothes, home, play as sub-themes, and we develop a system with detailed views and informations for the daily life of the people of Goguryeo.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.95-104
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• 2016

The Silk Route in ancient times served as a link between the World's greatest civilizations and as a source of knowledge, art, religion and philosophy. This network of ancient caravan paths formed the first bridge between East and West, where two different civilizations came in contact with their respective cultural traditions and religious beliefs, as well as their scientific and technological achievements. One of the main routes of the Great Silk Route passed through the Karakoram, linking Kashgar with Kashmir and the Gandhara regions. The Karakoram Highway connects the Chinese province with Pakistan and follows the ancient Silk Route, which connected the Heartlands of Asia with the Western fringes and further beyond the entire continent of Europe. Evidences of the history of humankind, ranging from Pre-historic times to the spread of Buddhism from South Asia to China and the Far East, is depicted in the rocky cliffs on the waysides and on rough boulders scattered in the upper valley of the Indus River and its tributaries. The ancient trade routes also carried scholars, teachers, missionaries and monks of different beliefs and practices, who met and exchanged ideas. The Buddhists as well as Zoroastrians and other missionaries all followed the Silk Route, leaving permanent footprints of their passage. The ancient greater Gandhara is situated in the North-West of the Indian Sub-continent, with the steep mountain ranges of the Karakoram, the Pamir and the Hindu-Kush bordering it and the dry areas of Central Asia to its rear. A number of races from Central Asia migrated to Gandhara because of its mild climate and plentiful farm products and fruits. This area was an entry point of Western Culture into India and at the same times the exit point of Indian Culture, including Buddhism, to the West. In Gandhara, the diffusion of different cultures developed an art form, during the 1-7th centuries CE commonly known after its geographic name as "Gandhara Art". The Buddhism's route of introduction into China originated in Gandhara, then reached in Korea and Japan and other countries. The fame of Gandhara however, rested on its capital, "Taxila" which was a great centre of learning. From the time of the Achaemenians, down through Muslim period, Gandhara continued to establish and maintain a link between East & West, as shown by material evidences recovered from Taxila and other Buddhist centres of Gandhara during the course of archaeological excavations.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.87-109
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• 2019

In the Iranian epic $K{\bar{u}}shn{\bar{a}}ma$, there is a rather interesting story that recounts how the inhabitants of $B.s{\bar{i}}l\bar{a}$ cross-breed their domesticated horses with a magical horse living in the sea in order to obtain fine-bred ones. What is even more interesting is that similar accounts are also seen in many of other classical Perso-Arabic works and Chinese sources. The regions that such events took place in mainly spread over Central Asia and western China while in $K{\bar{u}}shn{\bar{a}}ma$, the story happens in $B.s{\bar{i}}l\bar{a}$, a legendary kingdom with its historical prototype being Silla. By sorting out certain records of how ancient people sought fine horses by cross-breeding domesticated horses with wild horses that inhabited mountains and waters within Chinese sources and classical Muslim works, and comparing these accounts with similar plot lines as depicted in $K{\bar{u}}shn{\bar{a}}ma$, this paper attempts to elucidate that the story in $K{\bar{u}}shn{\bar{a}}ma$ is a result of flourishing land and maritime exchanges between East Asia and West Asia during ancient and medieval times, rather than a purely literary fiction. It was not only influenced by the horse culture that thrived over the Eurasian Steppe, but the story is also coincidentally in accordance with the fact that the nomadic zone which lies within the central Eurasian continent extends as far as the Korean Peninsula in northeast Asia.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate the health promotion effect of fermented milk and historical story of Korean dairy products from the ancient period to present. Although the origin of fermented milk is Europe, the recede of fermented milk was founded in far-east and middle east areas at BC 4C. After the spread of fermented milk to Korea and Japan. The consumption of fermented milk in Korea was dramatically increased to 14.2 kg per person in 1997. Health promotion effect of fermented milk can be devided to 5 major effected improvements of intestinal microflora, anticancer, cholesterol assimilation anti-pathogenic activity. Fermented milk reduced the level of ${\beta}$-glucornidase and nitroreductase to 50% and it provides anticancer activity by cell wall an polysaccharides. Fermented milk has cholesterol assimilation activity ca. 54${\sim}$40% (B. longum, Str. thermophillus). Anti-pathogenic activity of fermented milk was significant. It appeared that Sal. ser. typhimurium was more susceptible than 5. coli 0157 at low pH fermented milk. Viable cells of E. coli 0157 were not dramatically decreased in most of fermented milks tested, but in general, Sal. ser. typhimurium was drastically decreased in most of the fermented milks.