Page 224 - Ming_China_Courts_and_Contacts_1400_1450 Craig lunas

Plate 24.4 An Gyeon 安堅 (active c. 1440–70), Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land (Mong-yudowondo 夢遊桃源圖), dated 1447.
Handscroll, ink and colours on silk, height 38.7cm, width 106.1cm. Tenri Central Library

held at the royal palace of Gyeonghoeru on the eighth day of Sejong then assembled scholar officials to compose
the sixth month of 1435. Addressing princes, the grand poetry. In response to this, 47 officials dedicated poems with
secretary and 53 scholars, he said: alternating lines of 5 words and 7 words to the king, which
Why is there now a lack of those who correctly abide by were made into a scroll. In his speech, Sejong expressed
instructions and announcements (xungao)? Confucian scholars wariness towards literary activities, while promoting their
are not fond of the study of poetry because I have not admired importance. Under Neo-Confucianism, the king was
the study of poetry. ‘Writing poetry and prose is a skill of little expected to avoid becoming too immersed and distracted
consequence,’ so even though later generations say that a by literary interests. In order to justify his support of literary
certain era is not fond of the study of poetry, surely it is cultivation, Sejong asserted that writing and exchange of
harmless. Yet, among sages of ancient times, there were none poetry with officials were a part of internal and external
who were not adept at writing poetry and prose. I am also administration. Sejong’s own view of culture spread among
inclined to the study of poetry. If there are those on high who
are fond of it, then who would not be fond of it? scholar officials and through to the wider society. In
addition, Sejong emphasised the quality of calligraphy. For
何今時尙乏訓誥(詁)之正者耶。儒生不好詩學，專由予不尙詩學 example, in the fifth month of 1442, the king commissioned
之故也。詞章末藝，後世雖云某代不尙詩學，固無害也。然前古 an album of rubbings from stone inscriptions and
聖賢，未有不兼能詩賦者。予亦有意於詩學，上有好者，孰不好 distributed it to officials as models for practising
焉。 27
calligraphy. 28

Plate 24.5 Anonymous, Eight Steeds of Taejo (Taejo Paljundo 太祖八駿圖), dated 1705. National Museum of Korea

214 | Ming China: Courts and Contacts 1400–1450