T’aengniji, A Classic of Korean Geography and Geomancy

Continuing my study of pre-modern Korean history for class, today I read through the English translation of a classic work on Korean geography and geomancy called 擇里誌 (택리지), written by Yi Chung-Hwan 이중환(李重煥) in the mid-18th century. A partial English translation is available as Yi Chung-Hwan, Inshil Choe Yoon trans. T’aengniji: The Korean Classic for Choosing Settlements (Syndney: Wild Peony Pty Ltd, 1998)

The book was written to help yangban elites choose their residences in accordance with the natural laws of geomancy but it remains popular today, presumably for its extensive content on all aspects of Korea’s geography and its often entertaining historical anecdotes. There are sections dedicated to the eight major provinces, describing them in detail and criticizing them for their perceived weaknesses. I think it is safe to say that the book is overall thoroughly pro-Gyeongsang (except for the coast, for reasons I will discuss below) which it claims has the best geomantic qualities.

In addition to describing each province individually, it also discusses the character of the peoples who live there, the development of factionalism in the Chosŏn dynasty and the variety of terrain and scenery in Korea. In this little gem of a book, we can get a window into the growingly fixed perceptions of regional difference domestically, but also some interesting comments on the dynasty’s relationship to China (中國) and Japan (倭). Below are just a few interesting lines that I found particularly memorable. In some places, I looked up the original classical Chinese (which is the writing system used by Korean male elites for most things in pre-modern Korea) to find out what terms they were using.

The Personalities of Commoners in Each Province

“Among the eight provinces, P’yŏng’an is the best for the hospitality of its people. The next best is Kyŏngsang, because of the integrity of its people. Because Hamgyŏng is bordered by barbarians, the local inhabitants are strong and fierce. The natural environment is harsh in Hwanghae, and therefore many of the people are cruel and brutal. The people of Kang’wŏn are from remote mountain valleys and are boorish. People from Chŏlla indulge soley in craftiness and are prone to evil. As for the villages situated on plains around the capital in Kyŏnggi, the inhabitants’ fortunes have dwindled and become depleted. The inhabitants of Ch’ungch’ŏng pursue only power and profit.” (70-71) A friend of mine has indicated that some of these regional stereotypes are still strong in Korea today.

An Old Man Bowing to China

“Since ancient times, there has been a saying that Korea is shaped like an old person sitting with his head to the north-north-east and his feet towards the south-south-east and that the western side is open towards China forming the shape of a person bowing to China. Therefore, Korea is on friendly terms with China. It has also been said that because there is neither a river stretching one thousand ri nor a plain wider than one hundred ri Korea cannot produce great men. Barbarians from the west, north and east as well as the Jurchen entered China and in turn became emperors, but Korea alone maintained its boundaries as they have always been and has never dreamed of doing this. Korea is situated far away from China with a sea between. When Kija (Note: A mythical founder of Korea) did not want to serve the Chou regime he came to Korea and became king. It is therefore recognized as a country of loyal people. This [loyal] spirit has continued to the present [Chosŏn] dynasty. Although we have surrendered to Qing invaders, we kept our friendship with [Ming] China by not forgetting its assistance when we Koreans were under attack during the Hideyoshi invasion.” (88) I am especially interested at how he describes how, of all China’s neighbors, Korea alone has refused to invade China and remains subservient.

Japan: Miasmic Springs and Morbid Spirits

In the description of Gyeongsang province, “From the south-east of Taegu city to Tongnae are eight towns. Although the soil is rich these are not desirable places to live because of their proximity to Japan.” (45, the original for this last phrase is 土雖沃, 近倭, 不可居)

“Japan has many miasmal springs which cause endemic diseases. (Original: 倭一國， 多瘴泉而有土疾) If ginseng is soaked in the water the pernicious effects disappear straight away. Therefore ginseng is regarded as a very precious item and the Japanese living far way [from Korea] procure a supply of ginseng from Tsushima.” (46)

“From olden days the thirteen towns to the south of Yŏnggang Stream have yielded only a few talented people who were promoted to high government posts. The towns are close to the sea and to Japan. Because the waters and springs there have been haunted by morbid spirits they are not desirable places to live.” (50, Original classical Chinese for this last phrase: 迫海鄰倭, 水泉皆瘴. I’m not sure why this is rendered “morbid spirits” except that the previous passage makes reference to ghosts and spirits. However, it looks to me that the line just says literally, “Because they are close to the sea and Japan the waters and springs are all miasmic”)

In the section on “mountains in the sea” there is this line just after discussing Ullŏngdo Island (which lies very close to the controversial Dokto islands). “In the East Sea, which lies between Japan and Korea, there used to be a water range like a mountain range on land, which kept the people of both countries from coming in contact with each other. Nowadays, however, the ocean current has changed, enabling Japanese boats to drift to the Yŏngdong region, which is worrisome.” (109) Perhaps an indirect reference to the “Japanese” pirates (倭寇, they apparently weren’t always Japanese) who often raided the coastline.

More on the diseases coming in from the sea which doesn’t directly refer to Japan: “the strong winds from the sea darken the human skin and many diseases such as beriberi, dropsy, endemic diseases and malaria are common near the sea.” (118)

There are lots of memorable passages in this book. I was especially surprised at the numerous mentions of tourism and travel (for example on page 113) in order to visit scenic spots, the relatively warm descriptions of monks, monasteries, and Buddhism (for example on 42 and 102) and a strange anecdote about how digging wells led to the spread of fires. (?! page 117)