Property: DescEng
From Poetry Talks
This is a property of type Text.
B
The Yŏgong p’aesŏl is a four-volume (kwŏn) collection of Yi Chehyŏn’s remarks on poetry and other miscellaneous writings. It was completed in 1342 during his political hiatus and was printed in 1814 by his descendants to be included in his literary collection, entitled Ikchae nan’go 益齋亂藁 (Rough Drafts of Ikchae). The fourteen entries chosen here are Yi’s discussions of Koryŏ dynasty poets. Yi introduces popular poems and poetic phrases widely recited by his contemporaries, explaining what they reveal about the authors, their circumstances, and their times. He highlights poems that expand on ancient works but stresses that original works come only when the authors are true to themselves and recognize their own uniqueness.
In the Yŏgong p’aesŏl, Yi demonstrates his deep knowledge of poetry. His comparative assessment of Korean and Chinese poetic works offers insights into the literary world of Koryŏ poets. +
L
P
Yi Chehyŏn was a scholar-official of late Koryŏ. He served as Chief Minister of Three Offices (p’ansam sasa 判三司事) and Chief State Councilor (chŏngsŭng 政丞) under multiple kings. He played a key role in Koryŏ-Yuan diplomacy. Yi spent six years (1314–1320) in the Yuan capital Yanjing to assist King Ch’ungsŏn 忠宣王 (1275–1325) at his studio, the Hall of Ten Thousand Books (Man’gwŏndang), and interacted with leading Chinese scholars of the time, such as Yao Sui 姚燧 (1238–1313) and Zhao Mengfu 趙孟頫 (1254–1322). Later, Yi supported King Kongmin 恭愍王 (1330–1374) in executing political and social reforms. +
A Chinese from Yannan who served under King Ch’ungsuk during the Mongol rule of Koryŏ. Accused of abuse and misuse of power, Yang returned to China. +
T