Late Chosŏnkasa

要旨

Kasa poetry of the late Chosŏn period is not only prolific but more varied in subject matter than the early Chosŏn kasa . In addition to poems about the Japanese invasions of 1592–1598 and reclusion, there are ones on a diversity of topics: exile; pleasure trips; missions undertaken by envoys to China and Japan; cities such as Seoul; the farmer's works and days; and such unconventional subjects as tobacco and the foibles of foolish men and women. PAK ILLO Pak Illo, the author of seven kasa , is a major writer in the form. Based on his own experience in late 1598, the “T'aep'yŏng sa” (“Song of Peace”) was written at the time of Japanese withdrawal from Korea to encourage the soldiers under his command by predicting the advent of a peaceful era. The poem narrates the sudden onslaught of the Japanese army and the escape of the king, the recapture of P'yŏngyang by the Ming army and ensuing negotiations between China and Japan, another battle, and a return to the barracks and celebration of victory. Then follows a statement of the poet's resolve to brighten the Five Relations and a prayer to heaven that summarizes his recurrent concerns: So we pray that you bless our dynasty, that the royal house be endless; that the sun and moon of the Three Dynasties shine on the golden age of Yao and Shun; that there be no more war for myriad years; that people till the field and dig wells and sing the praises of peace; that we always have a holy king above us; and that he and we share the joy of peace.

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