• Title/Summary/Keyword: Yuan dynasty

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A Study on the Establishment of Pochonka and Chonmun yucho in the Early Choson Dynasty (조선 초기 보천가(步天歌)와 천문류초(天文類抄)의 성립에 대한 연구)

  • Ahn, Sang-Hyeon
    • Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.621-634
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    • 2009
  • We investigated the formation of Pochonka (Song of the Sky Pacers) and Chonmun yucho (Selected and classified writings on astrology) of the early Choson dynasty. We recognized that the songs in these books were deeply influenced by those in a Chinese book Tong-zhi published in 1161 A.D., based on the following facts; the contnts of both treatises are described in the same order; the first phrase of the song for Thai-wei-yuan has composed of five words rather than seven words; in particular, Choson's Pochonka has the song that describes the position of the Milky Way relative to asterisms, which was supplemented by the author Zheng Qiao. Since Tong-zhi were brought into Koryo in 1364 A.D., Choson's Pochonka must be formed after that time. In particular, compared with Chinese Pu-tien-ko, Choson's Pochonka stresses the colors of asterisms in order to represent the origin of each asterism with respect to the astronomers, Shih-shen, Kan-te, and Wu-Hsien. We also find that the star-charts in Pochonka and Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido (Chart of the asterisms and the regions they govern) published in the early Choson dynasty are significantly similar in names, number of stars, and shapes of asterisms in them. This fact means that the star-charts in Pochonka originated from either the parent chart of Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido or Chonsang-yolcha-punyajido itself. The parent rubbing was reappeared in 1392 A.D. and carved on stele in 1396 A.D., and so the publication of Pochonka can be dated back to A.D. 1392. Chonmun yucho is a book that was formed by footnoting Pochonka with astrological descriptions in Chinese treatises. The formation period of Chonmun yucho is estimated to be 1440-1450 A.D. from the facts such as the biographical survey of the author Yi Sunji. Furthermore, Pochonka was adopted as a textbook of the government service examination for the astronomy division in Soungwan or the Royal Bureau of Astronomy in 1430 A.D.. We inferred from these facts that Choson's Pochonka was formed between 1392 A.D. and 1430 A.D. as a part of establishment of the cultural and political foundation of the Choson dynasty by adopting the advanced system of the Song dynasty.

Unlim Yechan's Thoughts and his literati paintings land (운임(雲林) 예찬(倪瓚)의 사상(思想)과 그의 문인화(文人畵) 경계(境界))

  • Kwon, Yun Hee
    • The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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    • v.6 no.4
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    • pp.419-427
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    • 2020
  • Ye-chan(倪瓚) is one of the four great masters of the Yuan. He built his own unique art world under the rule of the times under the rule of immigrahts. His theory of painting, i-ch'i(逸氣) in the heart, is a spiritual product made up of the influence of traditional oriental thoughts such as Confucian scholar(儒), Buddhism(佛), and Zen Buddhism(禪). The i-ch'i is a new awareness of nature that has arisen between literary noblemen(文人士大夫) under the influence of freshness(淸淡), emptiness(虛無), non-action(無爲). This is beyond the mundane world and became the theoretical basis for literati painting. The i-pi(逸筆) of Ye-chan is a method of drawing the i-ch'i in the heart. This is the boundary of his literati painting obtained through his long efforts and practice. Ye-chan realized the high ground of unity of poem and calligraphy(詩書一體) and unity of poem and Zen(詩禪一致), which he realized in his daily life.His artistic spirit expressed the high level of staying away from being clean(脫俗遠塵), doing not stay in one place(一所不住), and unity of poem and calligraphy(詩書一体). Through this, he built a unique world of literati painting in the Art World of the late Yuan and early Ming dynasty.

A Study on the Publication of Liudao Pushuo, One of Mengshan De-yi's Works (몽산(蒙山) 덕이(德異)의 『몽산화상육도보설(蒙山和尙六道普說)』 판본고(板本考))

  • Song, Il-Gie;Kim, Eun-Jin
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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    • v.45 no.3
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    • pp.207-233
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    • 2011
  • This thesis is a study of the printed books of Liudao Pushuo(六道普說), one of Mengshan(蒙山)'s works. Mengshan De-yi(德異) lived in the Song(宋) and Yuan(元) Dynasty and was a Buddhist monk of Linji Chan(臨濟宗). Liudao Pushuo exists only in Korea, and there is no copy in China. Liudao Pushuo is a summary of the preachings of Mengshan about the Ten dharma-worlds(十法界) which include the six realms(六道) and the four kinds of holy men(四聖). There are 22 printed books in Korea. This study analyzed their physical descriptions and structures. As a result, all the printed books have 'sajudanbyoun(四周單邊)' except one book that is 'julchopjang(折帖裝)' of 'Bulgapsa(佛甲寺)'. There are also ten books with 'Heukku(黑口) and naehyang heukumi(內向黑魚尾)'. This indicates that those were typical of the printing type of the early days of the Joseon(朝鮮) Dynasty. In addition, the books with 13 characters in one line(13字本) were common. All 22 printed books were published in the $15^{th}$ and 16th century. This study confirms that Liudao Pushuo was handed down in the Goryeo(高麗) from China and actively published in the 15th and 16th century. This shows that Mengshan's Seon(禪) had a significant effect on Buddhism in Korea.

A Study on the Pyo-bon(標本) concept based on the verse "The Principal and secondary aspects must first be decided(標本須明後先)." in the Sanghan(傷寒) Chapter of "Yixuerumen(醫學入門)" ("의학입문.상한편(醫學入門.傷寒篇)"의 "표본수명후선(標本須明後先)" 조문(條文)에서 나타난 삼음삼양병(三陰三陽病)의 표본(標本) 개념에 대한 고찰)

  • Shin, Sang-Won;Jeong, Chang-Hyun;Baik, You-Sang;Jang, Woo-Chang
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.1-16
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    • 2012
  • "Yixuerumen" is a comprehensive medical text published in the Ming-dynasty by Li Chan(李梴). In this text, Sanghan(傷寒, cold damage) is categorized among external contraction(外感) with much emphasis. The subject of this study is the verse "The Principal and secondary aspects must first be decided." and its annotations in the in the Sanghan chapter of "Yixuerumen". The complex theoretical structure of this verse was firstly analyzed, together with the historical background of how and why Li Chan adopted this concept. The Pyo-Bon concept is the contrast between phenomena(標) and its underlying source of motivation(本). The methodology for this study was to compare and analyze this main verse with contents on Sanghan and Un-gi(運氣) within the text, while reviewing historical theories explaining the physiology and pathology of the human body in terms of the Pyo-bon(標本) concept. As a result, we discovered that the Pyo-bon(標本) concept used in the aforementioned verse of "Yixuerumen" matches the Three Eum Three Yang(三陰三陽)-標本中氣(pyo-bon-jung gi)-gi transformation(氣化) theory of Un-gi(運氣). Li Chan created the connecting link in understanding the Three Eum Three Yang diagnosis system through the viscera/bowels theory(臟腑論) by adopting the Three Eum Three Yang(三陰三陽)-標本中氣(pyo-bon-jung gi)-gi transformation(氣化) theory from Un-gi. Li's work lead to several changes in the field of Sanghan. First, Li understood the disease pattern of Sanghan by using the accumulated knowledge of the viscera/bowel theory during the Jin-Yuan dynasty, and developed a medical perspective that observes the disease pattern based on the body's essence gi(精氣). Second, he set the category of the Sanghan-Three Eum Three Yang disease pattern, establishing a separate guideline. Third, by adding knowledge of herbs to the accumulated knowledge of the viscera/bowel theory, the process of diagnosis and herbal application were made explicable. On the other hand, in the process of interpreting the 三陰三陽 diagnosis system with viscera/bowels theory, theoretical inconsistencies appeared, of which Li tried to mend by several means. The results of the research on "Yixuerumen(醫學入門) the Sanghan chapter(傷寒篇)" calls for further studies, as it has effected both "Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑) the Sanghan part(寒門)" and "Dongeuisoosebowon(東醫壽世保元)" as well.

A Comparative Study on Soumin Bojungyikgitang and Bojungyikgitang in the View of Constitution Medicine (소음인(少陰人) 보중익기탕(補中益氣湯)과 보중익기탕(補中益氣湯)에 대한 사상의학적(四象醫學的) 비교(比較) 연구(硏究))

  • Kim, Ilwhan;Kim, kyungyo
    • Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.69-94
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    • 1996
  • The main purpose of this work is comparing the difference between Soumin Bojungyikgitang of constitutional medicine and Li Dongyuan's Bojungyikgitang Bojungyikgitang, the prescription originated from the Pi-Wei theory(脾胃論) of Li Dongyuan who was a medical man in the Jin Yuan dynasty, had been used widely for many kinds of disease caused by the singking of the qi of middle energizer due to the weakness of the spleen and stomach. But in the singking of the qi of middle energizer due to the weakness of the spleen and stomach. But in the end of Choseon dynasty Li Je Ma, the creator of the constitutional medicine, modified the Bojungyikgitang and applied to Soumin's disease. In this paper, the difference between the two prescription were investigated from the viewpoint of chinese herb pharmacology and purpose of prescription. Additionally the problems which could be brought out by applying Bojungyikgitang to the Soyangin and the Taeumin were studied. And the conclusion could be summarized as follows: 1. The prescription of the Li Dongyuan's Bojungyikgitang is based on the deficiency of vital energy due to internal damage and the Soumin Bojungyikgitang is useful to only a certain stage of progressing disease on the basis of Shanghanlun(傷寒論). 2. In the Li Dongyuan's Bojungyikgitang, Cimicifugae Rhizoma and Bupleuri Radix were used for emphasizing the ascending action and have the antipyretic action and the effect of elavating of yangqi as they are bitter in taste and cold in nature. 3. In the Soumin Bojungyikgitang, Pogostemonis Herba and Perillae Folium have the ascending-descending action and strengthen the stomach with the effect of mild sweating by pungent taste and warm nature. 4. The effect of elavating of yangqi in the Li Dongyuan's Bojungyikgitang offers the pathway where vital qi go up by eleminating the pathogenic fire with the action of Cimicifugae Rhizoma and Bupleuri Radix in the triple energizer and yangming muscular striae. On the other hand, the Soumin Bojungyikgitang depends on the effect of reinforcing qi and elavating yangqi by Astrgalli Radix entirely and supply vital qi by reinforcing yangqi with Ginseng Rsdix. 5. The exahausion of yin(亡陰證) in the Soyangin exterior syndrome and cold limbs(寒厥證) in Taeumin exterior syndrome are similar to the indication of Li Dongyuan's Bojungyikgitang. As the causes of the disease are fundamentally different in the view of constitutional medicine, the diseases could be aggravated by applying Li's Bojungyikgitang. These results suggest that Li Dongyuan's Bojungyikgitang is proper to the exterior syndrome of Soumin and Soumin Bojungyikgitang seems to be appropriate to the Soumin's disease.

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A study on zhenjiusunanyaozhi(鍼灸素難要旨) (침구소난요지(鍼灸素難要旨)에 대한 연구(硏究))

  • Sim, Cheol-Ung;Kim, Jae-Jung;Kim, Jang-Saeng;Lee, Si-Hyeong
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.130-287
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    • 2011
  • "zhenjiusunanyaozhi(鍼灸素難要旨)" is composed of three volumes and published in 1529 by Gao Wu(高武). Gao Wu(高武) is skillful in astronomy, the art of war and the law as well as a medical practitioner in Ming Dynasty. The books he wrote "zhenjiujuying(鍼灸聚英)", "zhizhi(直指)", "douzhenzhengzong(痘疹正宗)", "shexuezhinan(射學指南)", "zhenjiujieyao(鍼灸節要)". "zhenjiusunanyaozhi鍼灸素難要旨" is written by classifying the origin of acupuncture and moxibustion. In other words, it is edited by classifying the contents related to acupuncture and moxibustion out of the ancient Chinese medical book "yellow emperor's canon of medicine and yellow emperor eighty-one difficult" in which are composed of 3 volumes as follows, Volume 1 says the main diseases on "the nine acupuncture needles figure" (九針圖), "the reinforcing and reducing the meridian" (補瀉), "the needle depth" (針刺深淺), "the five shu points - metal, wood, water, fire, earth" (正,滎,輸,經,合) based on 18 chapters in terms of acupuncture in "yellow emperor eighty-one Difficult "難經"", in which it quotes the annotation of "the difficulty by the original meaning "難經本義"" written by Hua Shou(滑壽) in Yuan Dynasty. Volume 2 is composed of 2 parts. Part 1 says the method of treatment on 36 Chapters, the method of acupuncture use in the Linshu "靈樞" and the Suwen "素問" such as "the rule of acupuncture use" (用針方宜), "the nine-pin method" (九針式) and "the nine-pin to only use the time appropriate to consider nature of Heaven, Earth and person" (九針應天地人時以起用) etc., Part 2 says "the five difficult acupuncture(五亂刺)", "the rise and fall of energy and blood(氣血盛衰)". "the pain tolerance(耐痛)" and ect., in which are in terms of method of treatment collected the original texts of 59 chapters on acupuncture to each disease and of 8 chapters on moxibustion in the Linshu "靈樞" and the Suwen "素問". Volume 3 includes 10 chapters in which consist of "the stabbing to disease in 12 meridians (十二經病刺)", "the eight extra meridian disease (寄經八脈病)", "the twelve meridians(十二經脈)", "the fifteen collaterals (十五絡脈), the twelve meridian muscles (十二經筋)", "the acupoint (孔穴)" and etc. This is the book edited comprehensively by classifying the contents on the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion and the circulations of meridians in "yellow emperor's canon of medicine and yellow emperor eighty-one difficult" and there is no case story in particular except his comments in person. This study is for the purpose of helping researching and developing acupuncture and moxibustion and applying their clinical training.

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A Review of the Time Cheongju Sanesa Buddhist Temple Relics Were Hoarded (청주 사뇌사 유물 퇴장(退藏) 시기에 대한 검토)

  • YOON Yonghyouck
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.57 no.1
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    • pp.22-36
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    • 2024
  • In 1993, a large number of relics was found in Cheongju Sanesa Buddhist Temple. They show superiority as bronze-based products, and are especially important in since they provide much information about the time of their creation. However, there are many opinions about the time they were hoarded: in the middle of the 13th century, late in the 13th century, early in the 14th century, etc. This study estimates the time they were hoarded to be some time in April 1291 during the invasion of Kădīn (哈丹) in the Yuan Dynasty. Kădīn's troops invaded the Goryeo Dynasty, then went through Yangpyeong and Wonju in January 1291 and appeared in Yeongi-hyeon on May 1 of that year. Based on records, this study verified that the troops passed through Cheongju on their way from Chungju to Yeongi-hyeon (currently Sejong-si) and pointed out that the invasion route of the troops was the background for the hoarding of Sanesa relics. The estimation that the Sanesa relics were hoarded in 1291 when Kădīn's invasion was going on makes it possible to reasonably clear up the era of the relics in which the Heavenly Stems called gānzhī (干支) Muo (戊午), Gyeongshin (庚申), Giyu(己酉) etc. were written. That is, Giyu Geumgo is presumed to be the year 1249, Muo Hyangro 1258, Gyeongshin Hyangwan 1260, etc.

A study on the characteristics of Goryeo dynasty cargo tag mokkans In comparison with mokkans of the Song and Yuan dynasty (고려시대 화물표 목간의 특징에 대한 고찰 - 중국 송·원대(宋·元代) 목간과의 비교를 중심으로 -)

  • LEE, Yeonjae
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.54 no.4
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    • pp.60-77
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    • 2021
  • From 2007 to 2011, four Goryeo Dynasty vessels, namely the Taean treasure ship, Taean Mado Shipwreck No.1, No.2, No.3 were discovered in Taean area, Chungcheongnam-do province. From the shipwrecks, 175 pieces of mokkan (wooden tablet) were excavated. These mokkans are the only case of Goryeo Dynasty and represent the unique usage of mokkan as cargo tags, after the paper replaced the wooden tablets as writing materials. The Taean mokkans provide details, such as the year, recipient, port of origin, types of the cargo, quantity and unit, the name of the responsible person for shipment. Thus, they enable us to speculate about the characteristics of the cargo. Furthermore, through studying the writing style, form, material and manufacturing method, researchers can extract which form and characteristics were favored at that time. The Taean mokkans have no preset style for writing. Therefore, they can be written selectively and freely. And since the mokkan were attached to cargos, mokkans with furrows on upper side were favored, and efficiency and simplification of the manufacturing process were priorities in making mokkans. The Taean mokkans can be compared to those from the Shinan ship and the Quanzhou ship because those are of the same era and use. On the writing styles and information, Chinese mokkans are focused on the cargo owners, while The Taean mokkan includes more detailed information, such as the recipients. In forms, Chinese mokkans have maximum thickness of 1.0 centimeter and have pointed edges in lower parts, while mokkans from Taean do not have fixed thickness or edges. Furthermore, Chinese mokkans and Korean mokkans have different styles from manufacturing methods and material selections. These differences between Chinese and Goryeo mokkan are related to the differences between littoral-transport Goryeo ships and ocean-transport Chinese ships, such as shipping distances, types of cargo, shipping systems, packing methods, and transport operators. At the moment, because there are only small amount of data and materials of Chinese mokkan, comparative studies regarding Goryeo and Chinese mokkan can only be fragmentary. However, this article can be a base from which to expand the scope of Goryeo mokkan studies.

A Study on the Hipped-and-Gable-Roof Framework of Muryangsujeon of Buseoksa Temple (부석사 무량수전 측면 지붕부 결구의 구성방식에 관한 재고(再考) - 중국 원대(元代) 이전 목조건축과의 비교를 중심으로 -)

  • Cha, Ju-hwan
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.49 no.3
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    • pp.78-103
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    • 2016
  • This research is a study on the side framework structure of the hipped and gable roof of Muryangsujeon at Buseoksa Temple. There is a record that Muryangsujeon was deconstructed and repaired in the period of Japanese Occupancy, and its authenticity has continuously been called into question because the structure of the hipped and gable side roofs, and the bonding of the rafters and eaves were not in good order and very different from those of Joseon Dynasty. Scholars date it differently. It is either dated at 13th century or 12th century. This study compares the non-planar configuration of the middle and front proportions of Muryangsujeon's hipped-and-gable-roof framework with those of the Tang(唐) and Song(宋) Dynasties in China. It concludes that the hipped-and-gable-roof framework of those architecture were built with the same technique. The style of architecture that side rafters directly touch the internal security (梁), like in Muryangsujeon, is not usual even among the hipped and garble roofs of the Tang(唐) and Song(宋) Dynasties. The technique of constructing the hipped roofs developed much further after the Tang Dynasty because they began to use garble eaves to build the side structure. The technique seems to have developed greatly by the period of Ming and Qing Dynasties. It also seems that the parallel-flat (平行輻射椽) rafter, which is the form of rafters used between the parallelrafter period and the half-flat-rafter period is very similar to the construction style of the current rafters of Muryangsujeon. However, the Muryangsujeon's eaves do not touch the corner rafter from the middle part. This seems to be a unique style, which is not common in China. In conclusion, the style of the side roof framework of Muryangsujeon at Buseoksa Temple is not of the China's southern regions, but of the northern regions of Tang(唐), Song(宋) and Liao(遼) Dynasties. And when considering the construction year and proportions of the middle front and side front on the same flat, this must be an ancient technique of the northeastern regions of Asia. Since it is likely that the structure of the side roof framework of Muryangsujeon at Buseoksa Temple has not been altered but is a unique style of hipped and gable roofs, this roof can serve as a good guide to restoring the hipped and garble roofs of the pre-Goyreo Dynasty period.

A study of the Medical System in the Early Chosun-Dynasty (조선시대(朝鮮時代) 전기(前期)의 의료제도(醫療制度)에 대한 연구(硏究))

  • Han, Dae-Hee;Kang, Hyo-Shin
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
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    • v.9
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    • pp.555-652
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    • 1996
  • Up to the present the scholastic achievements in the history of the medical system have been rather scare despite its importance in the Korean History. Hence, this dissertation attempts to examine the significance of the institute in the Korean History, covering the period from the ancient times through the early Chosun-Dynasty. In the ancient times, the medical practice relied primarily upon human instincts and experiences at the same time, shaman's incantations were widely believed to cure diseases, the workings of evil spirits supposedly. For the period from the Old Chosun through Samhan(巫堂), Chinese refugees brought a long medical knowledge and skills of the continent. New Chinese medicine, traditional practices and incantations were generally used at this time. Medicine and the medical system were arranged by the period of the Three Countries(三國時代). No definite record concerning Koguryo remains now. As for Paekje, however, history shows that they set up the system under the Chinese influence, assigning medical posts such as Euibaksa(medical doctor), Chaeyaksa(pharmacist), and Jukeumsa(medicine man) within Yakbu(department of medicine). Scientifically advanced, they sent experts to Japan, giving a tremendous influence on the development of the science on ancient Japan. After the unification of the three countries, Shilla had their own system after the model of Dang(唐). This system of the Unified Shilla was continued down to Koryo and became the backbone of the future ones. In the ancient time religion and medicine were closely related. The curative function of the shaman was absolute. Buddhism played a notable part in medical practice, too, producing numerous medical monks. The medical system of Koryo followed the model of Dang with some borrowings from Song(宋). Sangyakkuk(尙藥局) was to deal exclusively with the diseases of the monarch whereas Taeeuigam(太醫監) was the central office to handle the national medical administration and the qualification test and education for doctors. In addition, Dongsodaebiwon(東西大悲院), Jewibo(濟危寶), and Hyeminkuk(惠民局) were public hospitals for the people, and a few aristocrats practiced medicine privately. In 987, the 6th year of Songjong(成宗), local medical operations were installed for curing the sick and educating medical students. Later Hyonjong(顯宗), established Yakjom(clinics, 藥店) throughout the country and officials were sent there to see patients. Foreign experts, mainly from Song, were invited frequently to deliver their advanced technology, and contributed to the great progress of the science in Korea. Medical officials were equipped with better land and salary than others, enjoying appropriate social respect. Koryo exchanged doctors, medicine and books mainly with Song, but also had substantial interrelations with Yuan(元), Ming(明), Kitan(契丹), Yojin(女眞), and Japan. Among them, however, Song was most influential to the development of medicine in Koryo. During Koryo Dynasty Buddhism, the national religion at the time, exercised bigger effect on medicine than in any other period. By conducting national ceremonies and public rituals to cure diseases, Taoism also affected the way people regarded illness. Curative shamanism was still in practice as well. These religious practices, however, were now engaged only when medication was already in use or when medicine could not held not help any more. The advanced medical system of Koryo were handed down to Chosun and served the basis for further progress. Hence, then played well the role to connect the ancient medicine and the modern one. The early Chosun followed and systemized the scientific and technical achievement in medicine during the Koryo Dynasty, and furthermore, founded the basis of the future developments. Especially the 70 years approximately from the reign of Sejong(世宗) to that of Songjong(成宗) withnessed a termendous progress in the field with the reestablishment of the medical system. The functions of the three medical institute Naeeuiwon(內醫院), Joneuigam(典醫監), Hyeminkuk(惠民局) were expanded. The second, particualy, not only systemized all the medical practices of the whole nation, but also grew and distributed domestic medicaments which had been continually developed since the late Koryo period. In addition, Hyeminso(惠民局, Hwarinwon(活人院)) and Jesaenwon(濟生院)(later merged to the first) played certain parts in the curing illness. Despite the active medical education in the capital and the country, the results were not substantial, for the aristocracy avoided the profession due to the social prejudice against technicians including medical docotors. During the early Chosun-Dynasty, the science was divided into Chimgueui (acupuncturist), Naryogeui(specialist in scrofula) and Chijongeui (specialist in boil). For the textbooks, those for the qualification exam were used, including several written by the natives. With the introduction on Neoconfucianism(性理學) which reinforced sexual segregation, female doctors appeared for the female patients who refused to be seen by male doctors. This system first appeared in 1406, the sixth year of Taejong(太宗), but finally set up during the reign of Sejong. As slaves to the offices, the lowest class, female doctors drew no respect. However, this is still significant in the aspect of women's participation in society. They were precedents of midwives. Medical officials were selected through the civil exam and a special test. Those who passed exams were given temporary jobs and took permanent posts later. At that time the test score, the work experience and the performance record of the prospective doctor were all taken into consideration, for it was a specialized office. Most doctors were given posts that changed every six months, and therefore had fewer chances for a goverment office than the aristocracy. At the beginning the social status of those in medicine was not that low, but with the prejudice gradully rising among the aristocracy, it became generally agreed to belong to the upper-middle technician class. Dealing with life, however, they received social respect and courtesy from the public. Sometimes they collected wealth with their skills. They kept improving techniques and finally came to take an important share in modernization process during the late Chosun-Dynasty.

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