Yi Maech'ang
| Yi Maech'ang | |
| Hangul | 이매창 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 李梅窓 |
| RR | I Maechang |
| MR | I Maech'ang |
| Alternate name | |
| Hangul | 이향금 |
| Hanja | 李香今 |
| RR | I Hyanggeum |
| MR | I Hyanggŭm |
Yi Maech'ang (Korean: 이매창; Hanja: 李梅窓; 1573–1610), born Yi Hyanggŭm (이향금; 李香今), was a famed kisaeng of the Buan area during the Joseon period.[1][2][3] She was known by Maech'ang (매창; 梅窓), Kyesaeng (계생; 桂生; 癸生), and Kyerang (계랑; 桂娘; 癸娘).[4]
Biography
She was born to a man Yi T'angjong (이탕종; 李湯從) who was the mayor of Buan-hyeon (now Buan County) in North Jeolla Province, and an unnamed woman.
She was noted for her talent in playing the geomungo (a zither-like instrument) and composing sijo and other poetry. As Hwang Chini was known as one of the three wonders of Songdo, Maech'ang was known as one of the three wonders of Byeoksan. Because she was a kisaeng, she was not permitted to publish her works during her lifetime.[5]
One line from her sijo remains, saying:
"Yi Hwa-woo, who broke up with me while crying
Do you think of me in the autumn leaves too?
A thousand miles away, only dreams come and go."
(이화우 흣뿌릴 제 울며 잡고 이별한 님.
추풍 낙엽에 저도 날 생각난가?
천리에 외로온 꿈만 오락가락 하노매)
Her grave is preserved in Buan County, North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
References
- ^ Yi, Pae-yong (2008). Women in Korean History 한국 역사 속의 여성들. Ewha Womans University Press. ISBN 978-89-7300-772-1.
- ^ Kim, Young Chun; Jo, Jae-seong; Jung, Jung-Hoon (2023-08-11). South Korean Education and Learning Excellence as a Hallyu: Ethnographic Understandings of a Nation's Academic Success. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-92847-1.
- ^ Korean Cultural Series. 1960.
- ^ Lee, Hai-soon; Yi, Hye-sun (2005-01-01). The Poetic World of Classic Korean Women Writers. Ewha Womans University Press. ISBN 978-89-7300-627-4.
- ^ 研究論文集 (in Korean). 誠信女子大學校. 1987.
- Hwang, Won-gap (황원갑). (1997). 한국사를 바꾼 여인들 (Hanguksareul bakkun yeoindeul) (The women who changed Korean history). Seoul: 책이있는마을. ISBN 89-5639-014-2