목차
Virtual CD-ROM Adventure into the Choson Dynasty = ⅲ
CONTENTS = ⅴ
Preface = xi
Introduction = 1
CHAPTER 1. Political Landscape Colored by Conflict, Creativity and Strife = 9
A Look at Choson's Bureaucracy = 9
Coronation Ceremony Clouded by Mourning = 14
Kings Treading Rough, Rugged Royal Road = 18
Public Opinion Played Political Pacemaker = 23
Choson's Criminal Code Geared Up to Humanitarian Purposes = 26
The Ups and Downs of the Choson Legal System = 33
Bitter Diplomatic Relations with Japan = 37
Big Nation Twists Arms of Small Trader = 43
An Examination of King Sejong's Achievements = 46
King Chongjo Nurtures Flowering of Independent Culture = 50
Japanese Invasion of 1592 = 54
National Hero Admiral Yi Sun-shin = 60
Historical Facts and Faulty Myth About Kobukson = 66
Choson Firearms & Military Preparedness = 71
King Sejong, Pioneer of Gunpowder Weapons = 75
Kings Advocated Military Build-up = 79
Neglect of Self-Defense Invites Foreign Invasions = 83
Sungjongwon Diary Designated as National Treasure = 85
CHAPTER 2. Ups and Downs of Multi-layered Society in East Asia = 91
Civil Servants Set Exemplary Private Life of Frugality = 91
Choson's Official Interpreters = 97
Choson Kings Learning Foreign Language = 100
Rare Copy of Nokoldae Discovered = 104
Lunar New Year Day Customs of Choson Period = 108
Choson's Year-End Parties, Rituals and Royal Consideration = 112
Proper Burial of Ancestors Deemed Essential Filial Duty = 116
Royal Court Embroiled in Controversy Over Geomancy = 120
Choson Era's Anti-Smoking Campaigns = 123
Hypocrisy Shrouds Dress Graft Scandal = 127
Epitaph Dedicated to Tragic Prince Sado Bared = 130
Chong To-jon, True Gentleman-Scholar = 134
Draft Dodgers in Choson = 138
Seoul Merchants Enjoy Absolute Monopoly = 142
Trade, Commerce Tightly Controlled = 145
Prices of Commodities Fluctuated in the 16th Century = 148
Ruling Class Distorted Consumer Prices = 152
Introduction of Money Faced Skepticism = 156
Quackery-Practicing Self-Styled Saviors Mislead Public = 159
Festering Regionalism Comes From Faulty Foundation of Genealogy Book = 163
CHAPTER 3. Confucian Education & Choson's Professionals = 167
Sungkyunkwan Propped Up Confucian Education = 167
Sungkyunkwan: A Sacred Place = 171
Sungkyunkwan Students on Strike = 176
In Search Of a Cure-All = 180
Choson Kings Well Versed in Medical Treatments = 184
Unpopular Medical Business, Ⅲ-fated Court Doctors = 188
Professional Painters Working for the Government = 194
Kings Appreciate Paintings Highlighting Toils of People = 198
Hwawons Composed Realistic Works = 202
Various Missions of Painters: Map-Making, Espionage = 206
Royal Portraits Decided Fate of Hwawon = 210
CHAPTER 4. Turbulent Nature Interact with Choson Populace = 215
Chronology of Fire Accidents, Dispute Over its Symbolism = 215
Choson's Firefighting Methods Varied = 221
Mt. Kumgang: Sacred, Shining Symbol of Nation = 225
Leonid Meteors vs. Choson's Meteor Showers = 233
Lives of Animals Dexterously Depicted = 237
Choson Kings Try to Repair Flood Damages = 240
CHAPTER 5. Frailty? Thy Name is Choson Woman = 247
Choson Gov't Cracks Down on Luxury Weddings = 247
Biased Marriage System Spawns Concubines = 251
Male-Oriented Marriage Customs Strictly Upheld = 255
Adultery in High Class Mars Confucianism = 258
Double-Standard Treatment of Adulterers = 262
King Munjong's Trouble-Ridden Marriage Life = 265
Chang Nok-su, Unbeatable Temptress = 269
Yu Kam-dong Sex Scandal Shakes Up Court = 273
Women in Royal Court Mired in Power Politics = 276
Epilogue = 281
Appendix: Reader's Comments = 285
GLOSSARY = 297
Index = 309
