Record of the Seasonal Customs of Korea (Tongguk sesigi) is one of the most important primary sources for anyone interested in traditional Korean cultural and social practices. The manuscript was completed in 1849 by Toae Hong Sok-mo, a wealthy poet and scholar from an influential family. Toae, with his keen interest in the habits and customs of both courtiers and commoners, compiled in almanac form (he divided his book into chronological sections by lunar and intercalary months) a comprehensive record of seasonal palace events, rituals, entertainment, and food and drink consumed on high days and holidays, as well as information on farm work and traditions.
Nineteenth-century Korean intellectuals possessed a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture together with a growing awareness of the distinctiveness of Korea’s past and traditions. Toae’s work reflects this in the many comparisons he makes between the habits and customs of the two countries, quoting literary and philosophical sources to note similarities and contrasts. Knowledge of the seasonal traditions he describes was largely forgotten over the generations as Korea rapidly modernized, but in recent years much effort has been made to recover this wisdom: Tongguk sesigi is now widely read and referenced as a popular source for details on traditional food, customs, and entertainment.
While an ever-increasing number of books introducing Korean culture written by non-Koreans or Koreans researching their roots is now available, Record of the Seasonal Customs of Korea contains information “from the source” that also reveals the mindset and penchants of a premodern Korean intellectual. Readers will thus be confronted with many concepts, names, and ideas not readily understandable so extensive notes are provided in this translation. Those studying other Asian cultures with some Chinese influence will also find valuable insights here for cross-cultural comparison and research.
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ix | |
| Chronology |
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xi | |
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Part I Translator's Introduction |
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3 | (14) |
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Part II Translation: Record of the Seasonal Customs of Korea (Tongguk sesigi) |
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17 | (50) |
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17 | (2) |
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19 | (17) |
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36 | (2) |
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38 | (4) |
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42 | (3) |
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45 | (4) |
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49 | (3) |
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52 | (1) |
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52 | (2) |
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54 | (1) |
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54 | (3) |
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57 | (2) |
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59 | (4) |
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63 | (2) |
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65 | (2) |
| Notes |
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67 | (64) |
| Bibliography |
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131 | (24) |
| Index of Rituals, Customs, and Games |
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155 | (14) |
| Index of Government, Offices, and Titles |
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169 | (4) |
| Index of Geographic Names (Administrational Units) and Place-Names Mentioned in the Tongguk sesigi |
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173 | (6) |
| Index of Food, Beverages, and Ingredients |
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179 | |
Werner Sasse established the Korean studies departments at Bochum and Hamburg universities in Germany and was chair professor at Hanyang University, Seoul. Upon retirement he moved to Korea, where he continues to research Korean traditional culture and its re-invention following the countrys modernization.
Robert E. Buswell, Jr. holds the Irving and Jean Stone Endowed Chair in Humanities at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he is also Distinguished Professor of Buddhist Studies in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures and founding director of the universitys Center for Buddhist Studies and Center for Korean Studies.
