Japanese Works : Chōsenkoku zenzu 朝鮮國全圖

Japanese Works

The Chōsenkoku zenzu 朝鮮國全圖 painted map of Korea is a Japanese copy of the Chosŏn original from the 15th century. The original Tongguk chido 동국 지도 (東國地圖) was created by Chŏng Ch'ŏk (정척,1390-1475) and Yang Sŏng-ji (양성지, 1415-1482) in 1463 (Chosŏn Sejo 7) and was gifted to King Sejo (세조, 1417-1468, r. 1455-1468). It was the most advanced complete map of Korea at the time and was widely used for manuscripts for government and private use in the Chosŏn Dynasty. It was replaced when Chŏng Sang-ki (정상기,1678-1752) produced an improved map of Korea in the 1740s. Original maps of Tongguk chido are known to have been passed to Japan during the Japanese invasion of Chosŏn in 1592. They were widely circulated in Japan as both printed and hand-painted copies during the Meiji period (1868–1912). The UL has a printed copy of another map derived from the Tongguk chido entitled Chosŏn'guk segyŏn chŏndo (조선국세견전도, 朝鮮國細見全圖 FK.211.20), produced in 1873. The Chōsenkoku zenzu 朝鮮國全圖 hand-painted map of the Korean Peninsula was produced delicately on paper. Though it is unclear whether the map was produced for aesthetic appreciation, practical use, or both, it seems to have been executed by a skilled painter. Compared to Chosŏn maps with similar layouts, the colour scheme is gentler, and is characterised by relatively soft pastel tones rather than vivid primary colours. Furthermore, mountain ranges are larger and more rounded and densely placed within the outline of the peninsula. Similar to Chosŏn painted maps, however, Paektu Mountain is emphasised as a national landmark in bright white gofun pigment (K. hobun). There is little contrast between the colouring of the teal mountain mass and the slightly darker outlines. Flat land is painted in a subtle apricot shade, while the seas are shaded to show the serene light blue gradually fade into the background. These colourations result in a harmonious and aesthetically-pleasing view of the peninsula. Most noticeable is the use of white pigment to blend in the soft gradation of regular mountain ranges, a trait that is not frequently found in Chosŏn painted maps. (Dr Jess Son, SOAS and Dr Seul-Bi Lee, CUL)