Accounts on Korea by Jesuit Missionaries in China during the First Half of the 17th Century

I. Introduction
Previous research on the activities of Jesuit missionaries in China during the first half of the 17th century has been largely limited to (1) the establishment of China studies in modern Europe (2) the 'Chinese Rites' Controversy, and (3) the Chinese impact on Europe during the Era of Enlightenment, as exemplified in the 'Ancient vs. Modern Debate.' In contrast, little is known about the records related to the Korean Peninsula left by Jesuit priests conducting missionary work in China, and consequently there is an almost complete dearth of scholarly research on the subject. The underlying reasons for this are manifold: (1) previous scholarly research, both in Korea and abroad, has been one-sidedly focused on China and Europe, (2) a considerable portion of records left by the Jesuit missionaries have been lost or their whereabouts difficult to ascertain, and (3) comprehensive research is hampered by the fact that the surviving records are in a wide array of Western languages such as Latin, Spanish, French, and German.
On this backdrop, this study seeks to uncover records on Korea penned by Jesuit missionaries working in China in the first half of the 17th century and thereby examine how Korea was introduced to Europe at large during the period in question. Of the Jesuit missionaries active in China at the time, Matteo Ricci (1551-1610), Martino Martini (1614-1661), Alvaro Semedo (1585-1658), and Juan de Palafox y Mendoza (1600-1659) left a considerable amount of records detailing the turmoil in East Asia during the transitionary period between the Chinese Ming and Qing Dynasties. These records not only provided valuable insight into Chinese history and culture of the period but also made specific references to contemporary Korean historical events, such as the Imjin War, the Second Manchu Invasion of Korea, and the 'Humiliation at Samjeondo.' Consequently, their accounts contributed significantly to introducing the history and culture of Korea to Europeans of the time. This study seeks to uncover these records and bring them to light to the academic establishment.
Secondarily, this study seeks to investigate the intellectual foundation on which the Jesuit missionaries based their work in China during the first half of the 17th century. As stipulated in numerous previous studies, the Jesuits sought to facilitate their mission agenda by espousing sinocentricism and by adopting a mission policy of accommodation. To elaborate, by acknowledging China's self proclaimed status as the 'Middle Kingdom,' the Jesuits in effect adopted a heteronomous and hierarchic world view in which all surrounding nations were essentially satellite states, subordinate and peripheral to China. This study seeks to assess Korea's place within this world view.
The Jesuit missionaries at the time, personally experienced a crisis in their customary tenet of sinocentricism, with the Manchu invasion of China and the ensuing downfall of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. To their consternation, the Jesuits now had to rely on the good grace of the Manchu invaders, once scorned as barbarians, to keep the mission alive in China. This meant that they could no longer cling to the tenets of sinocentricism. This study asks how their shift in intellectual foundation influenced changes in the ways the Jesuits viewed Korea at the time.
Prior to the Jesuit missionaries in China in the first half of the 17th century, Jesuit missionaries stationed in Japan in the late 16th century had provided information on the history and culture of people inhabiting the Korean Peninsula, in their reports on the Imjin Japanese Invasion of Korea. This study will, therefore, compare accounts on Korea from these two sources. It is quite revealing how Jesuit missionary groups, separated by their respective areas of activity, can harbor such fundamentally different views on a common subject.

Korea Through Western Eyes by SNU Press

Book Reviews

Western Perceptions and Modernization 1882–1905

The authors bring the characters involved in this important period of Korean history to life and place them both within their contemporary context as well as their broader long-term setting. There are stories of bravery and dedication, but also of greed and selfishness and all of them put together make a compelling story. In particular, it is clear that while there was much naivety among both foreign and Korean communities, Korea at the time was a vibrant country, full of potential.

Martin Uden, British Ambassador in Seoul and author of Times Past in Korea.

If Seoul’s vast expatriate community ever wonder what their nineteenth century predecessors were like, they should turn to this new book for enlightenment. Drawing on a wide range of published and unpublished material, the authors tell the story of the early years of foreign residence inKorea through a series of vignettes that are both entertaining and informative.

Some stories are well-known, others will come as a surprise even to those who have studied the period. Korea through Western Eyes is an important and entertaining account of the human side of the West’s encounter with Korea.

James E. Hoare, author of Embassies in the East: The Story of the British and their Embassies in China, Japan and Korea.

For additional reviews, see floowing pages

http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=650

JL's source for his novel 'Star Rover' Jack London

At Star Rover, JL at first tried to use Chong Mong-ju as main character instead of using the name of Yi Yong-ik.

"But I must baseten, for my narrative is not of Adam Strang the shipwreccked sea-cuny on a coral isle, but of Adam Strang, later named Chong Mong-ju (lined) Yi Yong-ik, the Mightty one, who was, one time favorite of the powerful Yunsan, who was lover and husband of the Lady Om of the princely house Min, and ... "

See his JL1194, chapter 15, p. 524.

JL's source for his novel 'Star Rover'

4. Angus Hamilton
Korea. New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1904.
mentioned Lady Om, Opert, Yi Yong-ik

5. The Korean Review
Sept 1902, p. 385: The Treasure of Kyong-ju
"From the archaeological standpoint, the city of Kyong-ju in southern Korea is probably the most interesting point in Korea. It is not so old as Pyang-yang but the .... The southern city and its environs are rich in historical remains but it is our purpose to speak here only of ..."

Sept 1902, pp. 384-385
There is a picture of the torture of a prisoner, titled "Torturing a wwitness". 다리 사이에 나무를 집어 넣고 주리를 트는 모습이다.

Jack London Report

Most of JL's newspaper articles, personal letter, and diary on Korea were published in Jack Lodon Report.



Also see following articles;

JL 605. Dr. Moffett, March 13, 1904, 31pp. 4to, Sunan, Korea; see JLR p. 82

JL 606: typewritten, same contents.

JL 1020: March 5, 1904. Ping-Yang, autograph. On the Peking Road; see JLR p. 42

JL 819: The Japanese: [Russo-Japanese War Sketch], MS 2pp. 4to, typewritten; see JLR 122.

Jack Lodnon's Cherry

"Cherry" is an unpublished manuscript by JL.
This book is the sequel of "Jack London and Hawaii," published in 1917.
"Cherry felt enigma of oriental mind....in herself. and also in other Japanese> her peculliar beauty...walk, straight gaze; her carriage superior to white girls about her; modulated voice, inflection, etc."

1. London, Jack. Cherry: [misc, pages from novel]. Carbon copy (MS) 24pp. 4to (typewritten), (JL557)
2. London, Jack. Cherry: [novel]. A.Ms. 269pp. 4to. unfinished. Author's autograph corrections. Nov. 21, 1916. Also: by Charmian London. (JL558)
3. London, Jack. Cherry: [novel]. MS. 78pp. 4to. (typewritten). Incomplete Corrections by Charmian London Nov. 21, 1916. (JL559)
4. London, Jack. Cherry: [novel]. MS. 78pp. (typewritten). Unfinished. Author's autograph corrections. Nov. 21, 1916. Also : Note by Charmian London (JL560)
5. London, Jack. Cherry: [novel]. MS. 78pp. (typewritten). Unfinished. Author's autograph corrections. Nov. 21, 1916. Also : Note by Charmian London (JL562)
6. London, Jack. Cherry: [novel]. MS. 331pp. 4to. (typewritten). Autograph corrections in pensil by Charmian London. Nov. 21, 1916 (JL564)

JL's source for his novel 'Star Rover'

3. Isabella Bird Bishop's Korea (1898 edition)
JL carried Bishop's book in his travel to Korea in 1904. He chose Bbishop's travel route.
Compare JL map book and Bishop's map in her book.

pp.10-11: "General Map of Korea and neighboring countries" Indicated in this map Bishop's travel routes in Korea
pp. 66-67: "Sketch map of central Korea" Indicated in this map Bishop's 1st and 2nd journey in Korean peninsula. "Road to China"
pp. 292-293: travel in Songdo
p. 357: Itinerary