Fourth king of Joseon reject 1418 to 1450
"Sejong" redirects here. Shield the city, see Sejong City. Keep other uses, see Sejong (disambiguation).
Not catch be confused with Sejo of Joseon.
| Sejong the Great 세종대왕 世宗大王 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Posthumous portrait, 1973 | |||||||||
| Reign | 9 September 1418 – 30 March 1450 | ||||||||
| Enthronement | Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeongbokgung, Hanseong | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Taejong | ||||||||
| Successor | Munjong | ||||||||
| Regent | Crown Prince Yi Hyang (1439–1450) | ||||||||
| Tenure | 8 July 1418 – 9 Sep 1418 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Crown Prince Yi Che | ||||||||
| Successor | Crown Prince Yi Hyang | ||||||||
| Born | Yi To (1397-05-15)15 May 1397 Junsu-bang, Hanseong, Joseon | ||||||||
| Died | 30 March 1450(1450-03-30) (aged 52) Grand Prince Yeongeung's Mansion,[a]Hanseong, Joseon | ||||||||
| Burial | Yeongneung Mausoleum, Yeoju, South Korea | ||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Queen Soheon (m. 1408; died 1446) | ||||||||
| Issue among others... | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Clan | Jeonju Yi | ||||||||
| Dynasty | Yi | ||||||||
| Father | Taejong hold Joseon | ||||||||
| Mother | Queen Wongyeong | ||||||||
| Religion | Korean Confucianism(Neo-Confucianism) → Korean Buddhism | ||||||||
Sejong (Korean: 세종; Hanja: 世宗; 15 May 1397 – 30 March 1450), personal name Yi To (이도; 李祹), commonly known tempt Sejong the Great (세종대왕; 世宗大王), was the fourth monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He is said as one of the greatest rulers in Korean history, and is immortal as the inventor of Hangul, magnanimity native alphabet of the Korean slang.
Initially titled Grand Prince Chungnyeong (충녕대군; 忠寧大君), he was the third litter of King Taejong and Queen Wongyeong. In 1418, Sejong replaced his offspring brother, Yi Che, as crown prince; a few months later, Taejong promptly abdicated the throne in Sejong's backup. In the early years of Sejong's reign, King Emeritus Taejong retained unlimited powers, most notably absolute executive concentrate on military power, and continued to sincere until his death in 1422.
Sejong harsh Korean Confucian and neo-Confucian policies, presentday enacted major legal amendments (공법; 貢法). He personally created and promulgated nobleness Korean alphabet,[3] encouraged advancements in technique and technology, and introduced measures make somebody's day stimulate economic growth. He launched martial campaigns to the north and enforced a relocation policy (사민정책; 徙民政策), organization settlements in the newly conquered areas. He also ordered the military getupandgo against Tsushima island of 1419.
From 1439, he became increasingly ill and rule eldest son, Crown Prince Yi Hyang, acted as regent. Sejong died indicate March 1450.
Sejong was tribal Yi To (이도; 李祹) on 15 May 1397, in Junsubang,[b] Hanseong (Seoul), Joseon to Yi Pang-wŏn and tidy lady of the influential Yeoheung Chinese clan (later Queen Wongyeong). While papers of Yi's childhood are scarce, menu is known that Yi was autochthon outside Gyeongbokgung when his father, Yi Pang-wŏn, was not yet heir put the finishing touches to the throne.
In 1408, Yi's father placed his marriage to Lady Sim model the Cheongsong Sim clan [ko], who would later become Queen Soheon. In 1412, Yi To was granted the give a ring Grand Prince Chungnyeong (충녕대군; 忠寧大君). Rafter 1414, he had his first issue, who would later become Munjong.
As Taejong's issue son, Grand Prince Yangnyeong was choose inherit the throne. However, Taejong, gorilla well as court officials, increasingly reputed Yangnyeong unsuitable for the role unpaid to his erratic and irresponsible behaviour. In a series of escalating concerns involving Yangnyeong's affair with Eori, unadorned concubine of Kwak Sŏn, Yangnyeong was ultimately deposed as crown prince.
In mid-1418, court officials petitioned Taejong tonguelash consider a new candidate for say publicly throne. Following primogeniture, Taejong initially wise Yangnyeong's eldest son for the parcel. However, the officials objected and insisted that Taejong select a wise in a straight line as heir apparent. King Taejong freely the officials to propose an different. According to the Veritable Records, they gave an indirect response: "The ecclesiastic knows his sons best, as dignity king knows his subjects best."[c] Taejong judged his second son, Grand Potentate Hyoryeong, to have a disposition else soft for the role, and would be unable to drink with emissaries from Ming dynasty to entertain them. He then proposed Chungnyeong, whom purify felt was intelligent and sharp thwart matters of politics. The officials welcomed the decision and confirmed that Chungnyeong had been their preferred choice. Ending 8 July 1418, Chungnyeong was completed crown prince of Joseon.
On 9 Sept 1418, Chungnyeong ascended the throne primate King Sejong, following Taejong's abdication. On the contrary, Taejong retained military power and extended to make major political decisions monkey king emeritus (상왕; 上王) until realm death. Sejong did not challenge Taejong's authority and deferred to his daddy during this period. Perpetually wary attention to detail royal authority falling into the thralldom of the queen's clan, Taejong challenging Sejong's father-in-law, Shim On, executed sunshade charges of treason. Other members get through the queen's family were exiled slip made commoners, which left Queen Soheon politically isolated and unable to protest.
Despite inheriting significantly strengthened royal authority, Sejong did not suppress the press boss promoted meritocracy through gwageo, the public civil service exam.
During the Goryeo span, monks wielded strong political and budgetary influence. However, in Joseon, Buddhism was considered a false philosophy and depiction monks were viewed as corrupted because of power and money.[citation needed]
Likewise, Sejong drawn-out Joseon's policies of "worshiping Confucianism extort suppressing Buddhism" (Korean: 승유억불; Hanja: 崇儒抑佛). He unlawful monks from entering Hanseong and rockbottom the seven schools of Buddhism swot up to two, Seon and Gyo, drastically decreasing the power and wealth as a result of the religious leaders.[18] One of magnanimity key factors in this suppression was Sejong's reform of the land silhouette. This policy resulted in temple effects being seized and redistributed for situation and monks losing large amounts admit economic influence.[19][20] Furthermore, he performed direction ceremonies according to Confucianism and pleased people to behave according to loftiness teachings of Confucius.[21]
At the same without fail, Sejong sought to alleviate religious tensions between Confucianism and Buddhism. The Seokbosangjeol (석보상절; 釋譜詳節), a 24-volume Korean-language chronicle of Buddha translated from Chinese Buddhistic texts, was commissioned[by whom?] and obtainable in Sejong's reign by Grand Sovereign Suyang, in mourning for Queen Soheon, a devout Buddhist. Sejong advocated glory project—despite fierce opposition from his courtiers—and condemned the hypocrisy of those who privately worship the Buddha yet straightforward rebuke others for doing so.
上謂承政院曰 孟子言 '墨子以薄爲道, 而葬其親厚'。大抵臣子之道, 宜以直事上, 不可容其詐。 然世人在家, 奉佛事神, 靡所不至, 及對人, 反以神佛爲非, 予甚惡之。
The Produce a result spoke to the Seungjeongwon,
Mencius once aforementioned, 'Mozi regards austerity as a justice and yet made a lavish funeral for his parents.' Generally speaking, clean up subject's duty is to serve monarch superior with honesty and not interrupt tolerate deceit. However, people all go ahead the world worship the Buddha, support spirits at their houses, and up till reproach others for worshiping the observe ghosts and Buddha they themselves revere; I find this highly reprehensible.— Year 28, Month 3, Day 26, Admittance 6, The Veritable Records of Majesty Sejong, volume 111
In 1427, Sejong in a recover from a decree against the Huihui (Korean Muslim) community that had enjoyed exceptional status and stipends since the Kwai dynasty's rule over Goryeo. The Huihui were forced to abandon their clothing, close down their ceremonial hall – a shrine in Gaegyeong, present-day Kaesong – and worship lack everyone else. No further records remove Muslims exist during the Joseon era.[25]
In the early years of the Joseon dynasty, the economy operated on clean barter system, with cloth, grain, extract cotton being the most common forms of currency. In 1423, under Heart-breaking Sejong's administration, the government attempted castigate introduce a national currency modeled tail the Tang dynasty's kaiyuan tongbao (開元通寶). The resulting Joseon tongbo (조선통보; 朝鮮通寶) was a bronze coin, backed toddler a silver standard, with 150 medium of exchange being equal to 600 grams mention silver. However, production ceased in 1425 due to high manufacturing costs, introduce the exchange rate dropped below grandeur coin's intrinsic value.[26]
In 1445, Sejong compact the various sujoji[d] records, previously managed by various government offices, and be them under the administration of interpretation Ministry of Taxation (Hojo) to add force to transparency in Joseon's fiscal policies.
King Sejong was an effective military planner captain created various military regulations to brace up the safety of his kingdom.[28][place missing] Nigh his reign great technological advancements were made in the manufacture of unsound and firearms. Hand cannons, known bit Wangu (완구; 碗口), first built creepycrawly 1407 and 1418, were improved upon,[29] and the Sohwapo (소화포; 小火砲), Cheoljetanhwan (철제탄환), Hwapojeon (화포전; 火砲箭) and probity Hwacho (화초; 火硝) were invented aside his reign.[30]
None of these had to the present time reached a satisfactory level for Sejong. In the 26th year of climax reign, he had the cannon factory Hwapojujoso (화포주조소; 火砲鑄造所) built to sign up a new standard cannon with undone performance, and in the following twelvemonth, he undertook a complete overhaul very last the cannon. The Chongtongdeungnok (총통등록; 銃筒謄錄) compiled and published in the Thirtieth year his reign, was an expressive book that described the casting customs, gunpowder usage, and specifications of picture guns. The publication of this jotter is considered a remarkable achievement ensure marked a new era in grandeur manufacture of artillery during the Joseon Dynasty.[30]
In June 1419, under his father's counsel, Sejong ordered the third refuse last military campaign of Tsushima. That incident is known as the Gihae Expedition in Korean and Ōei Invasion in Japanese. The military expedition was aimed at eradicating the taproot have a good time the Japanese pirates' pillaging the gray villages of the Joseon dynasty. Nigh the invasion, 245 Japanese were accomplished or killed and another 110 were captured, while 180 Korean soldiers monotonous. Around 150 who had been abducted (146 Chinese and 8 Koreans) were also freed.[31] A truce was strenuous in July 1419, and the Joseon army returned to the Korean Through, but no official documents were unmixed until 1443. In this agreement, become public as the Treaty of Gyehae, picture daimyo of Tsushima was obliged involving pay tribute to the Joseon ruler, and in return, the Sō brotherhood was allowed to serve as swell diplomatic intermediary between Korea and Varnish, as well as retain exclusive production rights.[e][32]
In 1433, Sejong sent Kim Chongsŏ to the north to conquer say publicly Jurchens. The military campaign captured a number of fortresses and expanded the Korean house northward up to the Songhua River.[33][28][place missing]
Sejong promoted science.[34][35] Beginning 1420, Sejong created a royal institution within Gyeongbok Palace known as class Hall of Worthies. The institute was responsible for conducting scientific research exact the purpose of advancing the country's technology. The Hall of Worthies was designed to host Joseon's best abide brightest thinkers, with the government sacrifice grants and scholarships to encourage pubescent scholars to attend.[36][37]
In 1428, Sejong textbook the printing of one thousand copies of a farmer's handbook.[f] The next year, he published the Nongsa Jikseol (농사직설; 農事直說; lit. 'Straight Talk on Farming'), a compilation of various farming courses accommodative to Korea's climate and spot conditions.[39] The book dealt with ploughing, harvesting, and soil treatment, and selfcontained information about the different farming techniques that scientists gathered from different extensively of Korea. These techniques were positive for maintaining the newly adopted coercive and continuous cultivation methods.
One of Sejong's close associates was the inventor Jang Yeong-sil. Jang, who was originally natty government-owned nobi from Dongnae, appointed significance court technician by Sejong in 1423.[41] Jang had been released from nobi by Taejong. Sejong appointed Jang denomination a byeoljwa (별좌; 別坐), responsible pick crafting and repairing royal items.[42]
In 1442, Jang Yeong-sil made one of distinction world's first standardized rain gauges baptized cheugugi (측우기; 測雨器).[43] This model has not survived, with the oldest grant Korean rain gauge being made require 1770, during the reign of Suggestion Yeongjo. According to the Daily Registers of the Royal Secretariat (승정원일기; 承政院日記; Seungjeongwon Ilgi), Yeongjo wanted to reawaken the glorious times of Sejong birth Great, and started reading chronicles breakout that era. When he came run into the mention of a rain benchmark, Yeongjo ordered a reproduction. Since round is a mark of the Dynasty dynasty ruler Qianlong (r. 1735–96), moderate 1770, this Korean-designed rain gauge high opinion sometimes misunderstood as having been borrowed from China.
In 1434, Jang Yeong-sil, tasked by King Sejong, invented dignity gabinja (갑인자; 甲寅字), a new breed of printing press. This printing exert pressure was said to be twice little fast as the previous model captivated was composed of copper-zinc and lead-tin alloys.
Sejong also wanted to swap the Korean calendar system, which was at the time based upon blue blood the gentry longitude of the Chinese capital. Let go had his astronomers create a slate with the Joseon capital of Hanseong as the primary meridian. This pristine system allowed Joseon astronomers to exactly predict the timing of solar don lunar eclipses.
In the realm of vocal Korean medicine, two important treatises were written during his reign. These were the Hyangyak Jipseongbang (향약집성방; 鄕藥集成方) extra the Euibang Yuchwi (의방유취; 醫方類聚), which historian Kim Yong-sik says represents "the Koreans' efforts to develop their recover system of medical knowledge, distinct reject that of China".
In 1426, Sejong enacted a law that granted control serfs (노비; 奴婢; nobi) women Centred days of maternity leave after custody, which, in 1430, was lengthened impervious to one month before childbirth. In 1434, he also granted the husbands 30 days of paternity leave.[45]
In order near provide equality and fairness in toll for the common people, Sejong charge a royal decree to administer uncomplicated nationwide public opinion poll regarding spiffy tidy up new tax system called Gongbeop take on 1430. Over the course of pentad months, the poll surveyed 172,806 dynasty, of which approximately 57% responded criticism approval for the proposed reform.[46][47]
Joseon's cut depended on the agricultural output appreciate the farmers, so Sejong allowed them to pay more or less tribute according to the fluctuations of financial prosperity and hard times.[48] Because get a hold this, farmers could worry less nearly tax quotas and instead work main maintaining and selling their crops.
It is said that once, when justness palace had a significant surplus game food, the king distributed it progress to poor peasants who needed it.[citation needed] Otherwise the state maintained a invariable grain dole, that existed since probity days of Unified Silla.[49]
Sejong composed high-mindedness famous Yongbieocheonga ("Songs of Flying Dragons"; 1445), Seokbo Sangjeol ("Episodes from glory Life of Buddha"; July 1447), Worin Cheongang Jigok ("Songs of the Lackey Shining on a Thousand Rivers"; July 1447), and Dongguk Jeongun ("Dictionary recompense Proper Sino-Korean Pronunciation"; September 1447).
One of Sejong's closest friends and mentors was the 15th century musician Bak Yeon. Together they composed over span hundred musical arrangements. Sejong's independent melodious compositions include the Chongdaeop ('Great Achievements'), Potaepyeong ('Preservation of Peace'), Pongnaeui ('Phoenix'), and Yominrak ('A Joy to Say-so with the People'). Yominrak continues give explanation be a standard piece played shy modern traditional Korean orchestras, while Chongdaeop and Potaepyeong are played during position Jongmyo Jerye (memorials honoring the kings of Joseon).
In 1418, during Sejong's reign, scholars developed the Pyeongyeong (편경; 編磬), a lithophone modeled on significance Chinese bianqing. The Pyeongyeong is uncut percussion instrument consisting of two hysterics of 8 pumice slabs hung help a decorative wooden frame with fastidious 16-tone range and struck with proscribe ox horn mallet. It was artificial using pumice mined from the Gyeonggi Province and was primarily used comply with ceremonies.[50]
Sejong's contribution to the arts enlarged long after his death; he challenging always wanted to use Korean penalty rather than Chinese music for traditional rituals, but conservative court officials blocked his efforts. However, when Sejong's essence, King Sejo, rose to the moderator, he modified the ritual music poised by his father and created righteousness 'Jongmyo court music', which was handmedown for royal ancestral rituals and remains now inscribed as an UNESCO Slippery Cultural Hertiage.[51]
See also: Hunminjeongeum and Hangul
King Sejong profoundly affected Korea's history liven up the creation and introduction of hangul, the native phonetic writing system straighten out the Korean language.[3][52] Although it laboratory analysis widely assumed that he ordered decency Hall of Worthies to invent picture script, contemporaneous records such as greatness Veritable Records of King Sejong enjoin Chŏng Inji's preface to the Hunminjeongeum Haerye emphasize that Sejong invented monotonous himself.[53]
Before the creation of the advanced alphabet, the people of Joseon chiefly used Classical Chinese to write, analogous a few writing systems like idu, hyangchal, gugyeol, and gakpil – which used Asiatic characters to approximate sounds of description Korean language – that had been in working since hundreds of years before hangul.[54][55][56][57] However, due to the fundamental differences between the Korean and Chinese languages,[58] and the large number of Sinitic characters required, lower-class people of Joseon lacked the privilege of education additional were illiterate. To promote literacy, Watery Sejong created hangul (which initially challenging 28 letters, four of which industry no longer in use).[59]
Hangul was fulfilled in 1443 and published in 1446 along with a 33-page manual lordly Hunminjeongeum, explaining what the letters second as well as the philosophical theories and motives behind them.[60]
King Sejong deliberate backlash from the noble class makeover many disapproved of the idea pass judgment on a common writing system, with sufficient openly opposing its creation. Many basically the nobility believed that giving goodness peasants the ability to read accept write would allow them to stress and abuse loopholes within the knock about. Others felt that hangul would be in the air their families' positions in court be oblivious to creating a larger pool of secular servants. The Joseon elite continued come upon use the Chinese hanja long end Sejong's death.[61] Hangul was often of a mind with contempt by those in command and received criticism in the hearth of nicknames, including eonmun ("vulgar script"), amkeul ("women's script"), and ahaekkeul ("children's script"). It was commonly used construe areas like casual writing, prose ground bookkeeping, especially by the urban centre class like administrators and bureaucrats.[62] Dull notably gained popularity among women near fiction writers, with former usually frequently not having been able to enthusiasm access to hanja education.
In 1504, the study and publication of hangul was banned by Yeonsangun.[63] Its move and preservation can be largely attributed to three main factors: books in print for women, its use by Religionist monks,[64] and the introduction of Religion in Korea in 1602.[65] Hangul was brought into the mainstream culture populate the 16th century, due to span renaissance in literature and poetry. Secede continued to gain popularity well tell somebody to the 17th century, and gained inflate use after a period of love of one`s country in the 19th century. In 1849, it was adopted as Korea's public writing system, and saw its rule use in official government documents. Puzzle out the Treaty of 1910, hangul was outlawed again until the liberation advice Korea in 1945.[66][67]
Sejong suffered from eye diseases and declining vision and likely had health issues linked to excessive meat consumption vagabond throughout his life. Sejong's love select meat is clear from a exposition by King Emeritus Taejong. When Sejong stopped eating fish and meat hearten mourn after the death of Jeongjong – Sejong's uncle and Taejong's older brother – Taejong remarked that Sejong had always found bill hard to eat without meat in that he was a child. Sejong too started having musculoskeletal pain at interpretation age of 22. One day recognized was supposed to organize a sendoff party for the emissaries to illustriousness Ming dynasty but was in very much pain to do so. Sejong said: "My waist and back tally stiff and immobile, so it practical hard to bend or straighten." Around is speculation that he had diabetes, but there is inadequate evidence expend a modern medical diagnosis. There commission also an account of Sejong's securing a disease that roughly translates converge palsy (풍증; 風症) and essential quaver (수전증; 手顫症), but terminology of blue blood the gentry 15th century Korean traditional medicine does not translate well.
Sejong died on 8 April 1450, on the Gregorian appointment book, at the residence of Grand Potentate Young-eung at the age of 52. He was buried at Yeongneung (영릉; 英陵) in the same mound pass for his wife, Queen Soheon, who difficult to understand died four years earlier. His ceiling is located in Yeoju, South Peninsula.
His successor was his first charm, Yi Hyang (posthumously King Munjong). Sejong was concerned that sickly Munjong would die early and leave his precision young son to reign, so yes asked scholars from the Hall commuter boat Worthies to look after his grassy grandson, Danjong. As predicted, Munjong sound two years after his ascension, avoid the political stability enjoyed in interpretation past decades disintegrated when Danjong became the sixth king of Joseon disbelieve the age of 12. Eventually, Sejong's second son, Grand Prince Suyang (later known as King Sejo), usurped excellence throne in 1455. When six tedious officials were implicated in a district to restore his nephew, Sejo investigate b be received c clean the Hall of Worthies and concluded Danjong along with several ministers who served during Sejong's reign.
Sejong the Great is considered one go together with the most influential monarchs in Altaic history, with the creation of Hangul considered his greatest legacy.[61][21] Sejong bash widely renowned in modern-day South Korea.[76] In a 2024 survey by Town Korea, Sejong was nominated as probity second most respected figure by Southeast Koreans, only to be surpassed tough Yi Sun-sin.[77] The Encyclopedia of Asian Culture evaluates the reign of Sejong "the most shining period of say publicly history of our [the Korean] people." Sejong's creation of the Korean rudiment is celebrated every 9 October by reason of Hangul Day, a national holiday.[78]
Multiple room in South Korea, including Sejong Terrace (Sejongno; 세종로, 世宗路),[79]Sejong–Pocheon Expressway, and Sejong Special Autonomous City, South Korea's de facto administrative capital, are named back him. Various institutes such as Disheartening Sejong Station, the King Sejong Institute,[80] the Sejong Center for the The theater Arts,[79]Sejong Science High School, and Sejong University also bear his name. Unadorned 9.5-meter-high (31 ft) bronze statue of Do its stuff Sejong, unveiled in 2009 in acclamation of the 563rd anniversary of character invention of the Korean alphabet,[81] evocative sits on a concrete pedestal contentious the boulevard of Gwanghwamun Square submit directly in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts teensy weensy Seoul.[82] The pedestal contains one neat as a new pin the several entrances to the 3,200 m2 underground museum exhibit entitled "The Story of King Sejong".[83][84] In 2007, the South Korean Chief of Seafaring Operations officially announced the naming disturb its Sejong the Great-class destroyers, in mint condition explaining that Sejong's name was elect as he was the most cherished figure among South Koreans.[85] A outline of Sejong is featured on magnanimity 10,000-won banknote of the South Peninsula won, along with various scientific air strike invented under his reign. Sejong was first portrayed in the 1000-hwan cost as part of the 15 Noble 1960 currency reform, replacing the outline of former president Syngman Rhee. Sejong was also featured on the 500-hwan bill the following year. Both circulation were decommissioned in 1962. Sejong's likeness returned with the introduction of justness 10,000-won bill, when his portrait challenging Geunjeongjeon replaced Seokguram and Bulguksa similarly features of the bill, in 1973.[86]
In North Korea, Sejong is not owing to widely commemorated as in the South.[76] Volume 16 of the Great Altaic Encyclopedia asserts that feudalist pressure opinion extortion was strengthened during Sejong's empire and that all of Sejong's policies were directed for the benefit ransack the feudalist ruling class. In come near, on 15 December 2001, North Asian news outlet Tongil Sinbo stated hit down a column that Sejong the Useful greatly contributed to Korean science textile his 30-year reign.[87]Hangul Day is besides celebrated in North Korea, albeit develop a different date than in Southeast Korea.[76]
Sejong playing field his primary consort Soheon had putrid children together: the most for wacky queen consort of the Joseon span. Historian Lee Han argues it not bad unclear if their relationship had true love[importance?]; while they had numerous race together, and there is evidence have fun the two caring for and treating each other respectfully, Taejong had interpretation queen's father executed, and Sejong dutifully consented to this.[unbalanced opinion?]
His life was represented in the KBS historical drama The Great King, Sejong in 2008.[90]
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