The Confucian Transformation of Korea: A Study of Society and Ideology

by Martina Deuchler

Legislation to change Korean society along Confucian lines began at the founding of the Chosŏn dynasty in 1392 and had apparently achieved its purpose by the mid seventeenth century. Until this important new study, however, the nature of Koryŏ society, the stresses induced by the new legislation, and society’s resistance to the Neo-Confucian changes imposed by the Chosŏn elite have remained largely unexplored.

To explain which aspects of life in Koryŏ came under attack and why, Martina Deuchler draws on social anthropology to examine ancestor worship, mourning, inheritance, marriage, the position of women, and the formation of descent groups. To examine how Neo-Confucian ideology could become an effective instrument for altering basic aspects of Koryŏ life, she traces shifts in political and social power as well as the cumulative effect of changes over time. What emerges is a subtle analysis of Chosŏn Korean social and ideological history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Asia, Asian Literature

456 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely the first book anyone should read when doing research on the adaption of Confucian ritual during the Choson period in Korea, or more generally research on Choson society.

During my research I have seen this book being referenced so many times that I finally decided I had to read it. (I usually prefer articles over books, because they are shorter and easier to refer to because of the digital search function ctrl+F, haha).

I'm glad I did, because this book is a pearl and provided a better understanding of social ritual and values of Choson society. And although I can't use much of the information to write my thesis, - I again slightly changed my approach -, I can definitely use much of it for the book I have in mind to write! :D

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Consists almost entirely of inheritence/lineage minutiae (with charts) about who can be the heir to what and lists of people who argued about it. Was hoping for more broad and narrative history that gave context and human interest.

[Malachi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of great detail about the adaptation of the Great Ming Code to the Joseon context. Some arguments were more persuasive than others (I think the argument about the class origins of merit subjects at the beginning of the dynasty relied too much on the assumption that officials whose family lineages weren’t preserved came from families with lineages of officeholders, when I feel like an argument for the opposite might make more sense.) The transition from uxorilocal to virolocal residences for married couples, and what that meant for the position of daughters within lines of inheritance felt well demonstrated. As a reader I felt that it was well broken up, and highly readable, if you’re interested in the subject. The discussion of the changing position of women felt like the highlight of the book.

[anakoluty]

*przejrzane do licencjatu*

[AskHistorians]

This book is an important work of social history that explores how the introduction and application of Neo-Confucianism changed the life of Koreans on a more everyday level and borrows from anthropology.

[Cameron Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thick, dense but elucidating. Read for a class, taught by a professor who studied under Deuchler. Well worth a revisit in the future.