The confucian transformation of Korea: a study of society and ideology.

Abstract

In the Confucian Transformation the author compares the traditional society of Korea with that of China in order to grasp the similarities and differences between the two countries. She shows that traditional society of Korea was never a miniature Chinese one. Instead she says that Korean society was structured and managed by different social principles independent of Chinese society. For instance Chinese society was based on a lineage system while [Korea]... society had the notion of bilineal kindred. Furthermore a new-born Chosen society was constituted by the lineage concept but was quite different from traditional Chinese society in many respects. Therefore both Chinese and Korean societies after Sung China were equally centered on lineage but in practice they were not the same because Chosen society was based on direct lineal descedants. Apart from these interesting findings this book sees that in Korean society the sociopolitical position of hereditary aristocrats called yangban was generally one of power more so than those in China. Korean kings seemed to be surrounded by an influential aristocratic force while Chinese emperors reigned as virtual rulers over comparatively low-level bureaucrats. In Korean society matrilineal characters were more conspicuous for example in mourning and funeral rites in Korea matrilineal kin were treated more generously than in China and until the early Chosen dynasty newly-wed bridegrooms stayed at the brides parents house for fairly long time. Such a custom was not to be seen in China. In contrast in China men often had a wife and many concubines but in late Korea and early Chosen among the upper classes maintaining several wives at the same time was not usual. In China maternal lines were rarely mentioned and the patrilineal family was all-important in determining the status of offspring but in Korea the maternal family was regarded as equally important as that of the father. The ruling class of both countries practiced Confucian rituals but there were considerable differences in their actual practice. (authors)