Yi Maechang

In this Korean name, the family name is Yi.
Yi Maechang
Hangul
이매창
Hanja
李梅窓
Revised RomanizationI Maechang
McCune–ReischauerI Maech'ang

Yi Mae-chang (Korean: 이매창; Hanja: 李梅窓; 1573–1610), born Yi Hyang-geum (이향금; 李香今), was a famed kisaeng of the Buan area during the Joseon period.[1][2][3] She was known by Maechang (매창; 梅窓), Gyesaeng (계생, 桂生/癸生), and Gyerang (계랑, 桂娘/癸娘).[4]

Biography

She was born to a man Yi Tang-jong (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 related to the Chinese Guqin 古琴) and composing sijo and other poetry. As Hwang Jin-yi was known as one of the three wonders of Songdo, Mae-chang was known as one of the three wonders of Byeoksan. Because she was a gisaeng, 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.

See also

References

  1. ^ Yi, Pae-yong (2008). Women in Korean History 한국 역사 속의 여성들. Ewha Womans University Press. ISBN 978-89-7300-772-1.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Korean Cultural Series. 1960.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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


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