Search by property

This page provides a simple browsing interface for finding entities described by a property and a named value. Other available search interfaces include the page property search, and the ask query builder.

List of results

E547 + (Yi Tal, native to Hongju, Ch’ungch’ŏng pro … Yi Tal, native to Hongju, Ch’ungch’ŏng province, was born of Third Secretary in Royal House Administration (pujŏng) Yi Suham 李秀咸 (16th century) and his cherished government kisaeng. His poems were relished (hoeja). His poem on peasant family reads, 田家少婦無夜食雨中刈麥林中歸生薪帶濕煙不起入門兒女啼牽衣 The young wife of a farmer has no food for dinner.In the rain, she gathers some barley and returns through the woods.The fresh firewood is too damp for the smoke to rise.When she enters the gate, crying children pull her clothes. His poem on the Cold Food Festival reads, 白犬前行黃犬隨野田草際塚累累老翁祭罷田間道日暮醉歸扶小兒 A white dog leads. A yellow dog follows.By the overgrown fields are heaps of graves.An old man finishes offering sacrifice on the path between the fields.At dusk, drunk, he returns supported by a child. Coming close to Tang poems (p’iptang), they are delightful (kahŭi).s (p’iptang), they are delightful (kahŭi).)
E137 + (Yi Talch’ung’s 李達衷 (d. 1385; sobriquet Che … Yi Talch’ung’s 李達衷 (d. 1385; sobriquet Chejŏng [Rain Clearing Pavilion]) poem on Sin Ton reads, 威能假虎熊羆懾媚惑爲男婦女趨黃狗蒼鷹眞所忌烏鷄白馬是何辜 Borrowing the might of the tiger, the fox made bears tremble with fear.Transforming into an attractive man, it enticed many women.Brown dogs and blue hawks, he truly despised.Black-boned chickens and white horses, what crimes have they committed? This poem is worthy of being called a veritable record. In a eulogy poem for his brother, Yi wrote, 愧予體短才又短恨爾身長壽不長 I was ashamed of being shorter in stature and in talent.You, who had a long body, did not have a long life. He also wrote the following couplets, 秋聲喧蟋蟀日色耿蜻蜓 Autumn resounds as crickets go chirp, chirp.The sun gleams on shimmering dragonflies. 黃犢觸樊圃翠禽登水亭 Brown calves run into the garden fence.Green birds alight on the water pavilion. “Shimmering” and “alight on” are refreshing (sin).ing” and “alight on” are refreshing (sin).)
E087 + (Yi Talsŏn 李達善 (1457–1505; styled Kyŏmji) o … Yi Talsŏn 李達善 (1457–1505; styled Kyŏmji) once had a dream in which a scholar in a strange form presented him with a poem that read, 世上紅塵滿天樓紫玉寒東皇求八狴終不憶家山 The world is full of red dust.At the celestial mansion, the sounds of purple jades are cold. The Eastern Emperor seeks out the eight beastsbut remembers not his native mountains. Yi believed the dream was a call from the underworld, so he told everyone that he would die soon. The following year, he won the honor of the tertius at the civil service examination. I sent him the following congratulatory poem, 日下五雲爛未收廣寒深殿桂花秋祗隨傅說調金鼎準擬東皇八狴求 Under the sun, five-colored clouds glimmer without an end. Deep inside the Palace of Vast Coldness, autumn osmanthus are in bloom.Follow Fu Yue’s example and stir the golden cauldron.Let’s hope the Sovereign of the East will search for the eight beasts. The poem’s meaning (siŭi) draws an analogy between our king to the Eastern Emperor, and it shows my faith that Yi would someday assist the king. Not long after, Yi entered the Office of Special Advisors (Hongmun’gwan) and received great royal favor and honor. and received great royal favor and honor.)
E529 + (Yi Tal’s poem “Eulogy to Nam Kyŏgam” 挽南格庵 … Yi Tal’s poem “Eulogy to Nam Kyŏgam” 挽南格庵 said, 鸞馭飄然若木津君平簾下更何人床東弟子收遺草玉洞桃花萬樹春 Riding a phoenix you flew away to the Milky Way.Behind Junping’s curtain, who is the other person?East of your bed, disciples collect posthumous writings.At the Jade Grotto, peach blossoms on ten thousand trees are in spring.Kyŏgam (Character Hut) is Nam Sago’s 南師古 (1509–1571) sobriquet. It is said that Nam learned secret Daoist methods from a mystic and comprehended mysterious techniques. “若木津” is probably an error of the word “析木津” (Milky Way).ly an error of the word “析木津” (Milky Way).)
E597 + (Yi’s contemporary Academician Chin Hwa was … Yi’s contemporary Academician Chin Hwa was equal in fame with him, and Chin’s poetry was very clear and excellent (ch’ŏngso). His poem, 小梅零落柳僛垂閑踏靑嵐步步遲漁店閉門人語少一江春雨絲絲碧 Plum blossoms fall. Willow branches sway.Idly I tread through blue mountain mist, step by step without hurry.Fish shops have closed their doors. Human words are few.On the river sprinkles spring rain, drip by drip like jade green. is clear and vigorous (ch’ŏnggyŏng) and chantable (kayong).rous (ch’ŏnggyŏng) and chantable (kayong).)
E672 + (Yu Hŭigyŏng was a lowborn slave. He was up … Yu Hŭigyŏng was a lowborn slave. He was upright and prudent and served his master with loyalty and his parents with filial piety. Therefore, he was cherished by many literati. He could write poetry and was very skilled (sŏngsuk) at it. When he was young, he served Im Hun 林薰 (1500–1584; sobriquet Kalch’ŏn [Kal Stream]) and followed him to Kwangju. There, visiting Im Ŏngnyŏng’s villa, he wrote a poem to the rhyme of “star” 星 matching a poem at the pavilion. He wrote, 竹葉朝傾露松梢曉掛星 Dews bend the bamboo leaves in the morning.Stars hang on the pine branches at dawn. Yang Ŭngjŏng saw it and praised it highly.Yang Ŭngjŏng saw it and praised it highly.)
E585 + (Yu Hŭigyŏng 劉希慶 (1545–1636) was a lowly sl … Yu Hŭigyŏng 劉希慶 (1545–1636) was a lowly slave. By nature he was quiet and refined, and from young age studied poetry and ritual propriety. After the Imjin war, when livelihood was difficult, he became a clerk (sŏwŏn) at a guarding post (wijangso). When the queen’s guards stopped over at Suan county, Hwanghae province, just then the snow cleared, and the scenery appeared even more exquisite. Then the officials on guard had Yu compose a poem, and his poem read, 扈衛遼陽古郡城風飄瓊屑灑林垌村童莫厭埋樵逕天為行宮作玉京 Royal escorts arrive in Yoyang at the old city gate.Snowy jade flakes wafting in the breeze sprinkle the forests and fields. Village children! Please don’t mind the woodcutter’s trail is covered.For Heaven has turned our temporary palaceinto a jade capital.Again, once when he visited Yongmun Mountain in Kyŏnggi province, the scholars traveling with him on horseback had Yu compose a poem. His poem read, 山含雨氣水含煙靑草湖邊白鳥眠路人海棠花下轉滿地香雪落揮鞭 The mountains wear rain clouds, the waters wear mists. On the lush grasses by the lake, white birds are asleep.Under the sweet brier blossoms, travelers turn and on the ground covered with fragrant snow lower their horsewhips. Yu was good at making funerary robes, therefore regardless of whether one knew him or not, whenever there was a funeral, people often ordered him make the robes. Because of his humble background, Yu could not refuse them. At age seventy, he worked as a hired hand for bereaved families. He went about hungry and in lament, and those who knew him had pity on him.t, and those who knew him had pity on him.)
E136 + (Yu Pangsŏn’s poem “Singing Pink Peach Blos … Yu Pangsŏn’s poem “Singing Pink Peach Blossoms” 吟紅桃花 reads, 肉林淫戲憐商受錦障豪奢想石崇牧野血痕猶滿地關中火焰尚燒空 A forest of meat and wanton plays, the Shang Emperor Zhou loved.Brocade screens and extravagant luxury, Shi Chong desired. The blood stains of Muyestill cover the ground.The flames of Guanzhongburn the sky even to this day. Although he tried to be artful (kyo), comparing pink peach blossoms with a “forest of meat” and “blood stains” seems inelegant (pura).His five-character regulated verse reads, 杜門甘屏跡誰肯許同群松月眠孤鶴溪風起薄雲江山終日見世事隔年聞寂寞齋居靜淸香手自焚 Shutting the gate, you gladly hide your trace. Who would be allowed in your company? A lone crane sleeps on a moonlit pine. Thin clouds rise above the breezy brook.Watching all day rivers and mountains,news from the world reach you after years have passed.Alone in the tranquil house,you burn the incense of delicate fragrance. His poem “Elegant Flow” 演雅 reads, 杜門車馬少獨坐岸烏巾竹屋雞鳴午花村犬吠春籬疏狐試客檐短鳥窺人盡日蝸廬靜唯聞燕語新 The gate is closed, few horses and carriages visit.I sit alone by the shore, wearing a black headscarf.Midday, inside a bamboo hut, chickens cluck.Spring, in the blooming village, dogs bark. Through a sparse bamboo fence, a fox tries to enter. From the low eaves, birds observe people.All day long, the humble abode is quiet.Only the calls of swallows are new. Also, 聯鳥啼深樹靜魚戲小池 A pair of birds calls in the deep woods.The fish quietly play in a small pond. Overall, his poems express ideas of uneventfulness (p’yŏngdam) and tranquility (hanjŏk) in secluded living. The couplet, 竹林人語碧花塢鳥聲紅 Human voices in the bamboo grove are green.Crows’ cries amid the flowers are red. may sound virtuosic yet does not make sense.y sound virtuosic yet does not make sense.)
E089 + (Yu Suk’s柳淑 (sobriquet Saam [Thoughtful Hut … Yu Suk’s柳淑 (sobriquet Saam [Thoughtful Hut]; 1324–1368) poem “Pyŏngnan Ferry” 碧瀾渡 reads, 久負江湖約紅塵二十年白鷗如欲笑故故近樓前 Long ago I pledged for rivers and lakes,but spent twenty years in the dusty realm. White gulls seem to be laughing at me.Ko ko, they squawk near the tower. Ultimately, Yu was unable to escape the misfortunes of the mortal world. In the end, before his loyalty, uprightness, and integrity could be recognized, he was falsely accused by the traitor Sin Ton and secretly assassinated. Ah, what misery! When I was thirty-six, while passing Pyŏngnan Ferry, I wrote the following poem using his rhymes, 未議靑雲路江湖四十年思菴終賊手余在白鷗前 Not having chosen the path of the azure cloud,I have lived in rivers and lakes for forty years. You died at the hands of a traitor,I now stand before white gulls.The poem reverses Yi’s original poem.ulls.The poem reverses Yi’s original poem.)
E753 + (Yu Yŏnggil (sobriquet Wŏlbong [Moonlit Fai … Yu Yŏnggil (sobriquet Wŏlbong [Moonlit Fairyland])’s poem on “A Rice Pounding Woman” 咏春杵女 reads, 玉杵高低弱質輕羅衫時舉雪膚呈蟾宮慣搗長生藥謫下人間手法成 The jade hammer is raised high and low.Your delicate body moves gently.At times, your gauze jacket is lifted,revealing the snowy skin underneath.At the Moon Palace, you repeatedly pounded the elixir of immortality.Banished down to the human world,you mastered your skills. It has been praised as an excellent (ka) poem and was even included in the Ki a (Elegant Poems from the Land of Kija). But the three words “you mastered your skills” have no meaning, and I do not understand why the poem was chosen.do not understand why the poem was chosen.)
E309 + (Yu Ŭngbu 兪應孚 (d. 1456) composed the follow … Yu Ŭngbu 兪應孚 (d. 1456) composed the following poem, 將軍仁義鎭夷蠻塞外塵淸士卒眠晝永空庭何所玩良鷹三百坐樓前 The general’s benevolent justice has held back the Yi and the Man.With the dust outside the frontiers cleared, the soldiers can now sleep.On a long day in an empty courtyard,with what will I amuse myself? Three hundred fine hawks are perched on the tower before me. Commenting on the last line, Nam Hyoon said, “It amply demonstrates his personal aura (kisang).” Since this poem is rarely seen, I record it here.his poem is rarely seen, I record it here.)
E557 + (Yun Kyŏl composed the following five-chara … Yun Kyŏl composed the following five-character quatrain, 路入石門洞吟詩孤夜行月午澗沙白山靑啼一鶯 On the road, I enter the Stone Gate Grotto.Writing the poems, I travel alone at night.Midnight moon shines brightly on valleys and shores. In the green mountain, an oriole sings. Yun told the poem to Ch’a Sik and asked, “How is this poem?” Ch’a recited it a few times and said, “This is not what a human can compose. It must be a poem by a ghost.” Yun replied, “Sure enough, I composed it in a dream last night. A spirit must have helped me (sinjo).”ht. A spirit must have helped me (sinjo).”)
E377 + (Yun Kyŏl visited my late father and talked … Yun Kyŏl visited my late father and talked with him for some time. He recited a five-character poem and asked “What do you think about this poem?” My father replied, “This is a ghost’s poem.” In a great shock, Yun replied, “Last night in my dream I visited a deep grotto. A white sandy beach stretched out over ten li. The moon was shining brightly like day, and I heard the chirpings of an oriole. I asked for the name of the grotto and was told it was Stone Gate. Then I composed the following poem,” 偶入石門洞吟詩苦夜行月午澗沙白空山啼一鶯 By chance I entered the Stone Gate Grotto.Writing the poems, I travel at night in misery.Midnight moon shines brightly on valleys and shores. In an empty mountain, an oriole calls.es. In an empty mountain, an oriole calls.)
E460 + (Yŏngbo Pavilion at the naval camp in Ch’un … Yŏngbo Pavilion at the naval camp in Ch’ungch’ŏn province was a number one scenic spot. Since ancient times many poems have been written on it, but only Pak Ŭn’s couplet, 地如拍拍將飛翼樓似搖搖不系篷 The land, flap, flap, As if birds are about to take flight.The tower, wigwag, Undulates like untied boats. is the most relished (hoeja). I also wrote a couplet, 秋色磨靑銅上下夜光浮白玉東西 Autumn colors, like a polished bronze mirror, reach both high and low.Moonlight, like a floating white jade, shines east and west. This really deserves to be called “an awkward imitation of Xi Shi.”e called “an awkward imitation of Xi Shi.”)
E294 + (Yŏngnam Tower in Miryang and Ch’oksŏk Towe … Yŏngnam Tower in Miryang and Ch’oksŏk Tower in Chinju competed as the best scenic sites. Regarding Yŏngnam Tower, poems such as this one were composed. 秋深官道映紅樹日暮漁村生白烟一竿漁父雨聲外十里行人山影邊 In deep autumn, the official road gleams with red trees.At sunset, from the fishing village rises white smoke.An angler with a fishing rod sits yonder the sound of rain. A traveler of ten-li journey passes by the shadow of mountains. These poems have been widely recited by people. However, no good poem about Ch’oksŏk Tower is known. Although there is one by someone, but the poem on Yŏngnam Tower is refined (kong), while the poem on Ch’oksŏk Tower is crude (chol). Could it be that the scenery of Ch’oksŏk Tower is so much more excellent (u) than that of Yŏngnam Tower that people are unable to describe it (hyŏngyong)?ple are unable to describe it (hyŏngyong)?)
E711 + (Yŏngp’yŏng county’s Uduyŏn (Ox Head Pool) … Yŏngp’yŏng county’s Uduyŏn (Ox Head Pool) is the best scenic site in Kyŏnggi province. In the past, a man named Kim Yunbok lived there. Kim was a good zither player and gave himself a sobriquet, Old Zither Player. There Yang Saŏn engraved his poem on a rock, 綠綺琴伯牙心鐘子是知音一鼓復一吟泠泠虛籟起遙岑江月娟娟江水深 The Green Marquisette Zither.Boya’s heart.Zhongzi is the one who understands your tune.One beat followed by one note. Cold and empty melody rises from a distant hill.The river moon is rolling, the river water deep.The language (ŏ) is pure (ch’ŏng) and the style classic(ko). This is a rare poetic masterpiece (chŏlchak).s is a rare poetic masterpiece (chŏlchak).)
E016 + (Zubo 祖播 (13th century), a Chan monk from S … Zubo 祖播 (13th century), a Chan monk from Song China, sent a poem, five lacquered alms bowls, and a mottled bamboo staff the Korean monk Kyŏngjo 景照 (13th century) when Ouyang Bohu visited the East. Moreover, he bestowed the name “T’ogak (Hare’s Horn)” upon Master Kyŏngjo’s retreat and sent him a hand-written plaque bearing the retreat’s name. I praised the friendship between these two monks, transcending the distance of a thousand li. I had also heard of Ouyang’s reputation as a poet and was deeply impressed by him. Therefore, I wrote the following two poems, harmonizing with the two monks.’ 此去中華隔大瀛兩公相照鏡心淸空師方結蜂窠室播老遙傳兎角名杖古尙餘斑竹暈鉢靈應秀碧蓮莖誰敎一日親交錫共作金毛震地聲 From this place to the Central Efflorescence, a great ocean’s distance lies. Yet the two monks illuminate each other’s clear mirror-like heartsMaster Konggong just built his retreat like a beehive.Old Master Zubo sent from afar the name “Hare’s Horn.” The old bamboo staff still bears mottles that are now fading. The sacred alms bowls must have blossomed from lotus stems of jade. Who would have thought that after a day of friendly meeting, they would together bellow the Golden Lions’earth-quaking roars! 邈從千里渡滄瀛詩韻猶含山水淸可喜醉翁流遠派尙敎吾輩飽香名凌霄玉樹高千丈端世金芝擢九莖早挹英風難覿面何時親聽咳餘聲 You came from a thousand li away, crossing the dark blue sea.The rhymes of your poems still containmountains and waters so clear. How delightful! The Drunken Old Man sent his descendant afar,so this generation can stillhave a fill of his fragrant fame! The Jade Tree soars to the skies,rising a thousand feet tall.The Golden Mushroom upholds the world,upright in nine stalks.Early on, I admired your illustrious name, but it is difficult to behold your face.When will I get to hear the sound of your lingering voice?to hear the sound of your lingering voice?)
E003 + ([[Ch’oe Ch’iwŏn's]] (sobriquet Koun [Solit … [[Ch’oe Ch’iwŏn's]] (sobriquet Koun [Solitary Cloud]) [literary] merit was unprecedented. Therefore, scholars of [[the East]] all regard him as the progenitor [of literature]. His poem [[“A Pipa Tune” 琵琶行]] is classified in the [[Tang yin yi xiang 唐音遺響 (Lingering Echo of the Sound of Tang)]] as an anonymous work. Later generations remain undecided on its authenticity. Some say that the line, </br><div class="poetry-text">Over [[Dongting Lake]], the moon goes down, and a solitary cloud returns home.</div></br>proves his authorship, but that alone is insufficient evidence to settle the debate. [[“A Letter to Condemn Huang Chao”]] drafted by [[Ch’oe]] is not included in official histories. It is said that when [[Huang]] read the line, “Not only do all the people of the empire openly wish for your destruction, but the ghosts of the underworld also have devised a secret plan to eliminate you,” he fell from his chair in surrender. Had it not been a writing that makes the ghosts weep and startles the wind, how could [[Ch’oe]] have reached this level? Yet his poems are not considered [[lofty (ko)]]. It must be because he entered China during the [[Late Tang period]].)
E525 + (_Sŏga (Caddis Fly), a house maid of Song I … _Sŏga (Caddis Fly), a house maid of Song In, was famous for her singing. She was what “The Song of Water Moon Pavilion” 水月亭詞 refers to as “an excellent singer and beautiful girl.” A poem by Pak Chihwa: 主家亭子漢濱秋卿月依稀逝水流惟有鳳凰天外曲人間贏得錦纏頭 Your master’s pavilion is on the Han River shore in autumn.The courtly moon dims, and the winding waters flow. Only the phoenixsings the heavenly tunes.In the mortal world we hear it from the lady with a brocade headscarf. Im Che’s poem reads, 秦樓公子風流盡檀板佳人翠黛殘惟有當時歌舞處春江水月映朱欄 At the kisaeng house, the noblemen’s amusement has ended.Fair ladies with sandalwood clappers wear faded eyebrows.Then, there only remainsthe place where they sang and danced. The moonlight on spring river shines by the vermilion balustrade. The name of Song In’s pavilion was “Water Moon,” hence the two poems referenced them.oon,” hence the two poems referenced them.)
E160 + (Ŏ Mujŏk 魚無跡 (styled Chambu; 15th century) … Ŏ Mujŏk 魚無跡 (styled Chambu; 15th century) was a sŏja of Ŏ Segyŏm 魚世謙 (1430–1500; sobriquet Munjŏng [Literary Uprightness]). He was diligent in his studies and excelled in poetry, earning the praise from Third Minister (chisa) An Ch’im. His poem “ Illness Thinking of You While Sick” 病裏書懷呈相公 reads, 方丈煙霞鎖廣寒暮鐘三杵夕陽殘樹沿官道牆邊立月在鄰家屋上看點水卻憐螢誤落尋巢堪羨鳥知還隔窗終夜繅車響疑在山莊夢始闌 Mt. Fangzhang, enveloped in mists and rosy clouds, veils the Moon Palace.At dusk, the bell tolls thrice, as the lingering sunset fades.Trees line the main roads, standing tall by the walls.The moon, perched above neighbors’roofs, casts its gaze down.When raindrops fall, I worry they might mistakenly land on fireflies.When birds find their nests, how I admirethem for knowing where to return!Outside the windows, all night long,silk reeling machines are noisy. I wonder if, in your mountain villa, you are drifting in and out of dreams.la, you are drifting in and out of dreams.)
E339 + (Ŏ Mujŏk’s style name was Chambu (Hermit). … Ŏ Mujŏk’s style name was Chambu (Hermit). As a sŏja, he could not take the civil service examination due to state restrictions, but he acquired great fame for his talent. When he was young, one early morning, he and his father passed by a Buddhist temple. Seeing the clouds rising from the mountains, his father asked him to compose a couplet. Ŏ immediately replied, 靑山敬客至頭戴白雲冠 Green mountains show respect to the arriving guestsby putting on white-cloud crowns.The poems he wrote as an adult, such as “Lamenting the New Calendar” 新曆歎and “Commoners’ Lives Are Difficult” 蒼生難, are truly savory (hoe). His poem on passing Kil Chae’s Shrine in Kŭmo Mountain reads, 落落高標吉注書金烏山下閉門居首陽薇蕨殷遺草栗里田園晉故墟千載名垂扶大義至今人過式前廬生爲男子雖無膽立立峰巒摠起余 Graceful and outstanding, Royal Recorder Kil Chaelived at the foot of Kŭmo Mountain,secluded behind a closed door.The ferns of Shouyang Mountain are the grasses of the Shang remnants.The garden of Chestnut Village is an ancient place from the Jin.Your name will be passed down for a thousand years in support of righteous causes.Even now, passersby bow before your hut.Born a man, yet I am without valor.The towering ridges and peaks always raise me up. Once I passed by Kŭmo Mountain and saw the second couplet of this poem inscribed on the crossbeam of the village gate.ibed on the crossbeam of the village gate.)
E804 + (Ŏrhyŏn 孽玄 (Chosŏn) was a female slave of a … Ŏrhyŏn 孽玄 (Chosŏn) was a female slave of an Andong Kwŏn-ssi family. She was gifted and beautiful and was capable of composing poetry. She gave herself the sobriquet Ch’wijuk 翠竹(Jade Green Bamboo). Her poem “Autumn Thoughts” 秋思 reads, 洞天如水夜蒼蒼樹葉蕭蕭夜有霜十二湘簾人獨宿玉屏還羨畫鴛鴦 In the grotto-heavens like water, the night is dark.Tree leaves rustle, swish, swoosh as the frost falls in the night.Behind the curtain with twelve bead strings, she spends the night aloneand envies the painted mandarin ducks on the screen with jade ornaments.Her poem “Visiting Sŏng No’s Past Residence” 訪石田故居 reads, 十年曾伴石田游揚子江頭醉幾留今日獨尋人去後白蘋紅寥滿汀秋 For ten years, I accompaniedSŏng No on his excursions.By the Yangzi River,how many times have we linger after getting drunk?Today I am here alonesince he has left. White duckweeds, pink clouds, a quiet moon.The waterside is full of autumn. Both poems are found in the Ki a (Elegant Poems from the Land of Kija). But “Autumn Thoughts” is incorrectly attributed to kisaeng Ch’wisŏn, and “Visiting Sŏng No’s Past Residence” was incorrectly attributed to an anonymous poet. What a pity—the world has not passed on Ŏrhyŏn’s name!the world has not passed on Ŏrhyŏn’s name!)
E396 + (Ŭiju’s T’onggun Pavilion in P’yŏngan provi … Ŭiju’s T’onggun Pavilion in P’yŏngan province, situated near the borders of the Three Kingdoms, reveals outstandingly grand mountains and rivers unrivaled in the world. Since long ago, poets who wrote about this scenery are not few, yet none was able to describe (hyŏngyong) the scenery (kisang). When he was still young, Chŏng Ch’ŏl became an assistant to Official Welcoming Foreign Envoys (wŏnjŏpsa) and wrote the following quatrain, 我欲過江去直登松鶻山西招華表鶴相與戲雲間 I wish to go beyond the riverand climb straight up Pine Falcon Mountain. From west, I beckon the cranes on ornate columns to come and play with me in the clouds. Although it is a not a masterpiece (taejak), it is extraordinary (ki) in its own way and deserves to be transmitted. Of the poems on the scenery written since, I am yet to find one that measures up to this. yet to find one that measures up to this.)
E236 + (“Rinse rice with spearheads and cook rice … “Rinse rice with spearheads and cook rice with sword tips,” “A hundred-year-old man clings to a dry branch,” and “A blind man riding a blind horse reaches a deep pool in the middle of the night” are age-old expressions of danger. During the early Ming period, there was a poem titled “Feeling Elated” 得意, 久旱逢甘雨他鄕見故知洞房花燭夜金榜掛名時 Meeting a timely rain after a long drought.Meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land.Spending a candlelit night in a nuptial chamber.Seeing your name on the Golden Honor Roll. And then, another poem titled “Feeling Despondent” 失意 reads, 寡婦携兒泣將軍被敵擒失恩宮女面下第擧人心 A widow carrying a child cries.A general captured by the enemy.The face of a palace lady who has lost favor.The heart of a man who failed the exam. The poems’ descriptions of joys and sorrows are better than the ingenuity (myo) of the above expressions of danger. (myo) of the above expressions of danger.)
E874 + (“The Song of Barley in Bloom” 麥秀歌 was insp … “The Song of Barley in Bloom” 麥秀歌 was inspired by a desire to weep like a woman. This is what an ancient poem calls “a sorrowful song that takes the place of weeping” 悲歌可以當泣. Li Bai’s poem reads, 平生不下泣於此泣無窮 My whole life, I never wept.For this, I weep endlessly.Li Shangyin’s poem reads, 三年已制思鄉淚更入東風恐不禁 For three years I have held back tears thinking of my hometown.When the east wind arrives, I won’t be able to help myself.Huang Tingjian’s poem reads, 西風壯夫淚多為程顥滴 Westerly wind makes a gallant man’s tearsto drop more than those shed by Cheng Hao. Yi Saek and Niu Jizhi from the Yuan dynasty passed the civil service examination together. When Yi returned to the East, Niu presented him the following poem, 我有丈夫淚泣之不落三十年今日離亭畔爲君一洒春風前 These manly tears of minehave never been shed for thirty years.Today, bidding farewell by a pavilion,I sprinkle them for you in the spring breeze.The poem parrots earlier poems albeit with inferior composition method (kuppŏp). A poem by our dynasty’s Chŏng Saryong, 向來制淚吾差熟今日當筵自不禁 By now I have become rather good at holding back my tears.But today, facing the banquet, I cannot help myself.also follows Li Shangyin’s example.myself.also follows Li Shangyin’s example.)

C046 + (Chang’s poem was written out of frustration and does not have any other meaning.)

E277 + (1. A couplet in Pak Kyehyŏn’s 朴啓賢 (1524–15 … 1. A couplet in Pak Kyehyŏn’s 朴啓賢 (1524–1580; sobriquet Kwanwŏn [Garden Waterer]) poem, presented to Cho Sasu, reads, 詩名不讓一聲笛相業猶存半部書 Your poetic fame does not yield to the tune of a bamboo flute. Now that you are a minister, you still have half of the Analects to go. His use of references (yongsa) was apposite (chŏldang). In my poem “Presented to Educational Official (hakkwan) Yu Ison 柳耳孫 (16th century)” 贈學官柳耳孫, I wrote, 公權翰墨臻三昧子厚文章擅一場 Gongquan’s calligraphy has reached the state of complete concentration.Zihou’s writings shook the literary scene of his time.This is an example of attempting to paint a tiger but failing.f attempting to paint a tiger but failing.)
E203 + (1. A poem by Third Minister-without-portfo … 1. A poem by Third Minister-without-portfolio (chisa) An Ch’im’s “Lingering Tower in Yŏngam County” 靈巖郡徘徊樓reads, 徘徊樓上月徘徊客子徘徊亦快哉玉兔幾年仙藥搗素娥何處鏡奩開搖波散百東坡水對影成三太白盃直到夜深天似洗好風吹送桂香來 Over the Lingering Tower the moon lingers.This wanderer also lingers,Oh, how pleasant it is!How many years has the Jade Hare pounded immortal elixir?Where does the Mood Goddess open her mirror box? Undulating ripples scatter and become one hundred Su Shi. Before the shadow, there truly are three Li Bai.We linger late into the night. The sky appears washed and clean.A pleasant breeze wafts the fragrances of cassia toward us. At the time, it was regarded as an excellent poem. However, “one hundred Su Shi” 東坡百 and “three Li Bai” 太白三 are originally expressions coined by Yi Kyubo. An Ch’im also wrote a poem on Ch’angnyŏng’s Autumn Moon Studio, and one of its couplets reads, 搖波散百東坡水對影成三太白盃 Undulating ripples scatter and becomeone hundred Su Shi.Before the shadow, there truly arethree Li Bai. What is so new (sin) about these expressions (ŏ) that he repeatedly used them?ressions (ŏ) that he repeatedly used them?)
E129 + (1. According to the Minghuang zalu 明皇雜錄 (M … 1. According to the Minghuang zalu 明皇雜錄 (Miscellaneous Records of Enlightened Sovereign), during the time when Lady Guoguo enjoyed the emperor’s favor, she seized Wei Sili’s house to expand her mansion but eventually returned it to Wei. Later, a tree hit by a storm fell on the house, but the roof tiles remained undamaged. When Wei checked, they he discovered that they were all hardwood tiles. Yi Kyubo wrote this historical poem (yŏngsa), 雕成木瓦費何如虛葺人家竟未居不是韋公被豪奪天教虢國理韋廬 Carved wooden tiles,how costly were they?In vain, she embellished his house, only to never inhabit it.Wei’s house was not seized by an authority.Heaven had Lady Guoguo to carve and polish Wei’s humble hut!During the Koryŏ dynasty, royal wives and relatives seized and renovated people’s houses to add to their wealth, but then later returned them to the original owners. The poem comments on this practice.wners. The poem comments on this practice.)
E205 + (1. Among today’s military officials, those … 1. Among today’s military officials, those who can write poetry are only a few. However, none of their works are worth reading, except for Pak Hwigyŏm’s. When he was young and serving under Sin Sukchu’s command, Pak wrote the following poem, 十萬貔貅擁戍樓夜深邊月冷狐裘一聲長笛來何處吹盡征夫萬里愁 A hundred thousand fearless soldiers besiege the enemy’s lookout tower.Late at night, the moonlit frontier feels cold even with a fox fur coat.The sound of a bamboo pipe,from where does it come? It blows away the campaigning soldiers’ten-thousand-li worries. Later, he wrote the following poem “On the Fair Wind Terrace in Hŭngdŏk Prefecture” 題興德縣培風軒. 屹立亭亭萬仞峯峯頭高閣迥臨風地連蓬島三淸界人在瀟湘八景中雲帶山腰橫縹緲水涵天影接空濛忽看遠浦歸帆疾木道遙連漢水通 Towering high and upright is the peak soaring ten thousand yards. On its top stands a tall building facing the winds up high.The land below connects to Penglai Island and the domain of the Three Pure Ones.People are in Xiaoxiang,amidst their famous eight views.Clouds wrap the hillside in silky mists.Rivers hold the sky’s reflections meeting the hazy blue sky. Suddenly, I see near the distant shore a sail returning in haste.The long wood road connectsand leads to the Han River. Among the poems of military officials, such works are hard to come by.officials, such works are hard to come by.)
E186 + (1. At Chŏja Island in East Lake, the lands … 1. At Chŏja Island in East Lake, the landscape is stunning. Minister Han Chongyu of the previous dynasty built a villa and spent his retirement there. His poem reads, 十里平湖細雨過一聲長篴隔蘆花直將金鼎調羹手還把漁竿下晩沙單衫短帽繞池塘隔岸垂楊送晩涼散步歸來山月上杖頭猶襲露荷香 Over a calm lake of ten li, a light rain drizzles.The sound of a long bamboo flute drifts from beyond the reed catkins.Quickly, these hands that stirred the broth in the golden cauldronreturn to holding a fishing poleas I sit on the evening sand.Decked in an unlined jacket and a small cap, I saunter around the pond.From the nearby shore, hanging willows send the evening cool. I stroll and return home when the moon is high above the hills. The handle of my cane still carries the fragrance of dew-drenched lotus. The poem, too, is fine (ho). Pongŭn Monastery is situated about a li west of the island. Years ago, when I spent a leisurely time at East Lake’s Reading Hall, I moored my boat on the island and visited the monastery. In the nearby fishing village, apricot flowers were in full bloom. The spring scenery was truly delightful. On the boat, I wrote the following poem, 東湖勝槩衆人知楮島前頭更絶奇蕭寺踏穿松葉徑漁村看盡杏花籬沙暄草軟雙鴛睡浪細風微一棹移春興春愁吟未了狎鷗亭畔夕陽時 That East Lake is picturesqueis known by everyone. But the entrance to Chŏja Island is even more splendid.I stride toward the monastery on the pine needle trailand watch in the fishing villagefences wrapped in apricot blossoms. On the warm sand and soft grasses,a pair of mandarin ducks are asleep.Through fine ripples and gentle breeze,I row with a single oar.Spring delights and spring blues,before my poem is done.Over the bank of the Apku Pavilion, the sun is setting.It has already been over forty years since then. I cannot go there again to see the sights, but they remain in my memory. the sights, but they remain in my memory.)
E224 + (1. At the end of the three-year mourning p … 1. At the end of the three-year mourning period for the death of his parent, during the Rite of the Removal of Mourning Robe, my great-great-grandfather wrote the following poem in his dream. 酸梨小洞古山阿廬墓三年一擲梭饘粥厭何疏食進衰麻纔着練冠加昊天罔極恩難報中月而行禫已過莫謂泉扃終寂寞五男俱在子孫多 The Sour Pear Small Grottorests in the ancient hills,where, tending the grave, three yearshave flown by like the throw of a weaver’s shuttle.Who would hate porridge and eat coarse grains instead?I now don sackcloth and wear a mourning cap. Infinite like the heavens,the grace of parents cannot be repaid.The period of mourning has ended,and the rite is now complete. Please don’t say in the underworldthat you feel lonely!For your five sons are all here and also many grandsons.sons are all here and also many grandsons.)
E266 + (1. Chief Minister Hong Ch’un’gyŏng’s 洪春卿 ( … 1. Chief Minister Hong Ch’un’gyŏng’s 洪春卿 (1497–1548) poem “White Horse River” 白馬江reads, 國破山河異昔時獨有江月幾盈虧落花岩畔花猶在風雨當年不盡吹 The kingdom lies in ruins. Even mountains and rivers are different from before.Only the moon over the river waxes and wanes time and again.By the Rock of Fallen Flowers, flowers still remain.The storm of that year did not blow them all away. Scholar Yi Hongnam’s poem reads, 故國登臨月上時濟王家業此成虧龍亡花落千年恨分付東風一篴吹 I visit the ancient kingdom at the time of moonrise.The royal family of Paekche rose and fell here. The dragon is dead. The flowers have fallen. A thousand years of remorse.I entrust it to the east wind in the tune of a bamboo flute. At that time, people weighed the excellence of the two poems. However, in my humble opinion, the opening line of the second poem seems like a case of “skipping the second part.”like a case of “skipping the second part.”)
E212 + (1. Cho Sin was renowned for his talent fro … 1. Cho Sin was renowned for his talent from an early age. In the kihae year of the Chenghua reign (1479; Sŏngjong 10), he accompanied envoy Sin Sukchu on a goodwill mission to Japan based on recommendations from Hong Kwidal and Ch’ae Su. King Sŏngjong personally provided Cho with five topics and commanded him to compose poems on them. Additionally, each of the six royal secretaries was instructed to select difficult rhymes to test Cho’s abilities. Just before his departure, Hong Kwidal presented Cho with his poem “A Rhapsody on Cozy Hut” 適庵賦. Later, Cho retired and lived in Kŭmsan county in Kyŏngsang province. He produced a five-volume collection of poetry manuscripts, as well as a single volume titled Somun swaerok (Miscellaneous Records of Little-Known Things). His poem “Impromptu” 偶吟 reads, 三杯卯酒詫年稀手拓南窓一詠詩泉眼溢池魚潑剌樹林遶屋鳥來歸花生顔色雨晴後柳弄腰肢風過時誰道適庵無箇事每因節物未忘機 Three cups wine in the morning I brag I am in my seventies!Opening a south-facing window, I sing out a poem.In the bubbling pool from a spring, the fish splash!To a house surrounded by trees, the birds return.Flowers wear fresh colors after the rain clears.Willow branches sway their waists when the wind passes.Who says in my Cozy Hutthere is nothing to do?With every change of season, I still haven’t forgotten all motive. His own annotation reads, “Following the to-and-fro rhyme scheme (jint’oegyŏk 進退格), I incorporated ten words, including poetry 詩, wine 酒, trees 林, spring 泉, fish 魚, birds 鳥, flowers 花, and willows 柳.fish 魚, birds 鳥, flowers 花, and willows 柳.)
E253 + (1. Cho Sin wrote a regulated verse at a de … 1. Cho Sin wrote a regulated verse at a derelict Buddhist temple. The third couplet reads, 逕覆今秋葉廚餘去日樵 The trail is now covered with autumn leaves.In the kitchen are firewood from bygone days.His way of line composition (kuppŏp) is wonderfully outstanding (kijŏl). People recited the poem widely (chŏnsong). However, when Cho transcribed his works, he did not include this one. It is possible that he discarded it because he was not satisfied with his earlier works. was not satisfied with his earlier works.)
E216 + (1. Ch’oe Suksaeng’s 崔淑生 (1457–1520) poem “ … 1. Ch’oe Suksaeng’s 崔淑生 (1457–1520) poem “Ŭiju’s Ch’wisŭng Pavilion” 義州聚勝亭 reads, 馬蹄西海到窮陲百尺危亭近紫微且倚雕欄看勝景不敎珠箔障晴暉江橫鴨綠兼天淨柳暗鵝黃着雨肥忽憶玉堂身萬里蓬萊何處五雲飛 At the horse-hoof coast of West Sea,at its outermost rim,there is a pavilion a hundred feet above,close to the Purple Star.I lean on its carved railings and behold the marvelous view,not letting the beaded curtains block the radiant glow.The Amnok River flowing across fuses with the clear sky.Bright orange willow catkins plump up in the rain.Suddenly I realize from the Jade HallI am thousands of li away.Oh, where in Penglai do five-colored clouds fly? Minister So ordered me to read aloud the poems on the plaques. When I got to this poem, he nodded and said, “This old man’s poem deserves to be called a mature composition (sŏngjang).”However, Cho Wi wrote a matching poem that reads, 雄藩自古壯邊陲新搆華亭對翠微絶域雲烟來醉眼層城花柳媚春暉山圍廣野靑如畫雨過長江綠漸肥叵耐登臨還望遠歸心日夜正南飛 Since ancient times, this grand domainhas had formidable frontiers.A decorated pavilion was just built,facing the azure hills.Misty clouds of distant landsenter my drunken eyes.Flowers and willows of the mountain fortressflaunt their spring glow.The open field encircled by mountainsis green like a painting.After the rain passes over the long river, verdure grows darker.I couldn’t help but ascend the pavilion and gaze afar.My homebound heart, day and night, only soars to the south. In my humble opinion, how is Cho’s poem not on par with Ch’oe’s?how is Cho’s poem not on par with Ch’oe’s?)
E176 + (1. Drinking Toso wine on New Year’s Day ha … 1. Drinking Toso wine on New Year’s Day has been an ancient custom. The young drink it first, followed by the old. The current custom is that after getting up on New Year’s Day, when you meet someone, you would call their name. If they respond, you would say, “Buy my follies,” as a way to sell your follies and avoid calamities. I have always loved the following quatrain about New Year’s Day from a poem in our Eastern country, 人多先我飮屠蘇已覺衰遲負壯圖事事賣癡癡不盡猶將古我到今吾 Before my turn, many peopledrink the medicinal wine.I see I am already old with no more aspirations.Each time, I sell my follies, yet my follies are endless.It is still my old self that’s my present self. On this New Year’s Day, I tuned eighty years old. Playfully, I matched the poem and wrote, 微軀多病少醒蘇八十康寧是不圖何用賣癡先飮酒詩場强敵可支吾 Feeling frail and sickly, I sober up from medicinal wine.Health and peace at eighty are not what I seek.What’s the use of selling follies and drinking the wine first?At the poetic arena against a potent opponent, I can still hold my ground. I sent the poem to Second Deputy Director (tongjisa) Song Ch’an 宋贊 (1510–1601; sobriquet Sŏgyo [Western Outskirt]).1601; sobriquet Sŏgyo [Western Outskirt]).)
E281 + (1. Du Fu wrote in his poem, 自天題處濕當夏着來淸 Co … 1. Du Fu wrote in his poem, 自天題處濕當夏着來淸 Coming from the emperor, still wet where the writing is,wearing these in hot weather one is cool.The expressions “from the emperor” and “in hot weather” all derived from the classics. Using such expressions from the classics in poetry has long been a technique (pŏp). In a poem presented to Ŏ Sukkwŏn, I wrote, 詩壇我屈奔而殿酒社君尊酒則先 In the world of poetry, I surrender and stay in the rear of the troop.At the banquet, you receive honorand drink the wine first. This is a case of what is known as “learning the way they walk in Handan.”as “learning the way they walk in Handan.”)
E222 + (1. During the Zhengtong reign, Sŏl Wi 薛緯 ( … 1. During the Zhengtong reign, Sŏl Wi 薛緯 (15th century) served as the Magistrate of Man’gyŏng county and became known for his integrity and prudence. One day, after reeiving a reprimand from a governor, he decided to resign from his position and depart. He left a poem on his desk that read, 數年江郡獨鳴琴志在高山與水深世上難逢鍾子耳絃中誰會伯牙心 For many years, in this river country, I have played the zither alone,though my aspirations have always been in lofty mountains and deep waters.In this world, it is rare to meet someone With the ears of Zhongzi.From the tunes, who can understandthe heart of Boya?unes, who can understandthe heart of Boya?)
E174 + (1. During the reign of King Chungjong 中宗 ( … 1. During the reign of King Chungjong 中宗 (r. 1506–1544), Sin Yonggae 申用漑 (1463–1519; sobriquets Iyojŏng [Two Joys Pavilion] and Munjŏng [Literary Scenery]) held the dual positions of Fifth State Councilor (uch’ansŏng) and Director at the Office of Royal Decrees (taejehak). Desiring to pass on the role of Director at the Office of Royal Decrees to Nam Kon, one day Sin had a conversation with Nam and requested a poem from him. Nam submitted the following verse, 楊柳陰陰欲午鷄忽驚窮巷溢輪蹄爭看風裁空隣舍促具盤筵窘老妻乘興但知傾藥玉忘形不覺挽鞓犀沈吟欲賦高軒過鄭重荒詞未敢題 Willows cast shadows. Roosters at midday are about to crow.Suddenly, my humble lane is flooded with carriages and horses.Trying to catch a glimpse of nobility, neighbors all come out of their homes.Hastily preparing a banquet, my old wife is anxious.When you made a surprise visit, I onlyknew I had to pour wine.Neglecting all formalities, I absentmindedly tighten my rhinoceros horn belt.Contemplating, I attempt to compose a poem on “The Tall Carriage Passes By”.But out of respect, my muddled words,I do not dare to write. Deeply impressed, Sin remarked, “My robe and alms bowl have found their rightful place.” Before long, Nam was appointed as the Director at the Office of Royal Decrees. This account is derived from Ŏ Sukkwŏn’s 魚叔權 (fl. 1520s–1550s) P’aegwan chapki 稗官雜記 (A Storyteller’s Miscellany). That day, Sin must have written a poem matching the rhymes of Nam, but it is not recorded in the P’aegwan chapki. Here, I dare to put myself in Sin’s shoes and offer a matching poem. 偶過高門見殺鷄淹留半日縶駑蹄瓊詞許以知音友斗酒謀諸擧案妻自擬方皐能相馬須煩溫嶠試燃犀欲傳衣鉢孚人望聲價無雙在品題 By chance, I passed through your lofty gate and was served a meal with slaughtered chickens. I lingered for half a day, tying my lowly horse.Precious words, you share with a friend who knows the sound of your heart.A flask of wine was prepared for all by your respectful wife.Thinking that Jiufang Gao can judge horses,I troubled Wen Qiao to light up the buffalo horns.I wish to pass on my robe and alms bowl to an esteemed one I trust.Your matchless reputation is evident in the quality of your poems.n is evident in the quality of your poems.)
E265 + (1. Envoy Wang He wrote a poem after visiti … 1. Envoy Wang He wrote a poem after visiting Kija Shrine (Kijamyo). Chŏng Saryong tried to write a matching poem to the rhyme of “teacher” 師. He struggled for a few days, but the more he tried, the cruder the poem became. He asked the Assistant Commander of the Gate Guard (chongsagwan) to try matching the line. Then Yi Hongnam 李洪男 (b. 1515), the Section Chief (chŏngnang), immediately wielded the brush and wrote, 三仁雖異迹百世尙同師 The Three Benevolent Ones had different merits.But a hundred generations revered them as one teacher. Even a literary talent like Chŏng can sometimes experience writer’s block, let alone people with inferior talent!ck, let alone people with inferior talent!)
E270 + (1. Hwang Yŏhŏn once said to me, “When I re … 1. Hwang Yŏhŏn once said to me, “When I returned to Hanyang, I asked Sin Kwanghan about anyone who has recently written good poems, and he replied, ‘These lines by Im Hyŏngsu 林亨秀 (1504–1547) written when he went to Cheju Island as magistrate, 山蟠王子國波蹴老人星 Mountains encircle the princely kingdom.Breakers chase the Old Man Star.are the most excellent (ch’oega).’” When I inquired Chŏng Saryong about his opinion, Chŏng responded, “I can’t see why these lines are excellent (ka).”t see why these lines are excellent (ka).”)
E219 + (1. Im Ch’un’s “A Kisaeng that Ran Away” 詠逃 … 1. Im Ch’un’s “A Kisaeng that Ran Away” 詠逃妓 reads, 紅粧待曉帖金鈿爲被催呼上綺筵不怕長官嚴號令漫嗔行客惡因緣乘樓未作吹簫伴奔月還爲竊藥仙寄語靑雲賢學士仁心不用示蒲鞭 Applying the rouge, you waited for the dawn, and adorned yourself with golden hairpins.Summoned hastily, you took your seat on the brocade mat.You are not afraid of officials issuing stern orders.Freely you complain to the guestsabout your ill-fated love. Ascending the tower, you did not becomea companion of the flute player.Instead, you eloped to the moon and became a fairy who stole the elixir!These are my words to noble and worthy scholars:Have a kind heart and don’t pull out the rush whip. The poem itself is excellent (ka), but the expression (ŏ) “rush whip” immediately disrupts the charm (p’ungun) of the boudoir. If he met a woman throwing the weaver’s shuttle, I am afraid he wouldn’t be as happy as Youyu with his broken teeth.e as happy as Youyu with his broken teeth.)
E217 + (1. In his Taedong sirim大東詩林 (Poetry Forest … 1. In his Taedong sirim大東詩林 (Poetry Forest of the Great East), Yu Hŭiryŏng 柳希齡 (1480–1552; sobriquet Mongwa [Dream Nest]) records his father Yu In’gwi’s 柳仁貴 (1463–1531; sobriquet Sujae [Sleep Studio]) poem “Staying Overnight at Naksaeng station” 宿樂生驛, 日夕衆山暗遠來投樂生征驢吃殘草老僕飯香粳索枕背燈睡把盃斟酒傾時時呼長老屈指問前程 As the sun sets, the mountains grow dark.Traveling from afar, I stay in Naksaeng for the night.My donkey grazes on withered grasses.My old servant prepares fragrant rice. Finding a pillow, I turn my back towards the lamp to sleep.Taking a cup, I pour and empty the wine.Time and again, I call the elderly manAnd, counting on my fingers, inquire about the road ahead. “My donkey grazes on withered grasses” indicates that he was journeying through a desolate area. How can then there be “my old servant prepares fragrant rice”? Also, he already turned his back towards the lamp to sleep, then how can he take a cup and do all that? Moreover, “take,” “pour,” and “empty” are all similar words. What is even more laughable is that he only stayed at Naksaeng station for a day. How then can he say, “Time and again, I call the elderly man”? The post station servant cannot be compared to a Buddhist monk or a Daoist master, then how can he be called an “elder”? The expression (ŏ) “counting on my fingers” originated from the phrase in the “Biography of Chen Tang” 陳湯傳 in the Han shu 漢書 (Book of Han), “Counting on my fingers the days ahead, I said, ‘In a few days, we shall hear the good news.’” However, inquiring about the road ahead and using the expression “counting on my fingers,” I cannot see the appropriateness of that either.ot see the appropriateness of that either.)
E275 + (1. In his poem dedicated to a kisaeng from … 1. In his poem dedicated to a kisaeng from Sŏwŏn, Song In (sobriquet Iam [Self-Nurturing Studio]) wrote, 臨分解帶當留衣教束纖腰玉一圍想得妝成增宛轉被他牽挽入羅幃 As we part, I loosen my sash, leaving it as a keepsake for you. Please tie it around your slender waist,with a jade pendant.I imagine it will adorn youto be even more charming.You will be led by another manand enter the veil of gauze. A wonderful poem in the style (ch’e) of Fragrant Chamber, it is lovely (kaae). of Fragrant Chamber, it is lovely (kaae).)
E269 + (1. In his poem on the Magistrate’s Office … 1. In his poem on the Magistrate’s Office in Kyŏngsan county, Yi Ŏnjŏk 李彦迪 (1491–1553; sobriquet Hoejae [Dark Studio]) wrote, 鳴鳩枝上七飛燕雨中雙 Seven cuckoos call from the branches.A pair of swallows flutter in the rain.The couplet was naturally conceived (ch’ŏnsŏng). Yi wrote many other excellent poems. He did not speficially study poetry, but his poems flowed spontaneously from his temperament (sŏngjŏng). From this, we learn that if one’s true character is lofty and clear, they can effortlessly write good poems.r, they can effortlessly write good poems.)
E254 + (1. In his poem “On Marquis Zhuge Liang” 詠諸 … 1. In his poem “On Marquis Zhuge Liang” 詠諸葛武侯, Yi Haeng wrote, 死生許國無遺力成敗論人是小兒 In life and death, he served the country till his strength was spent.Judging a person based on success or failureis infantile indeed. The critical view (ŭiron) is fair, and the expression (saŏ) is also original (sin). In his poem written in response to the imperial envoy Tang Gao, Yi wrote, 縹緲三山看覆鼎逶迤一帶接投金 Faintly visible, three peaks resemble an overturned tripod cauldron.A belt of meandering stream meets the Tossed Away Gold River. “Overturned tripod cauldron” is another name for Samgak (Three Peaks) Mountain and Yanghwa Ferry is also referred to as the T’ugŭm (Tossed Away Gold) River. The parallelism between the couplet therefore is wonderfully appropriate. Some say that the couplet was composed by Minister So Seyang.ouplet was composed by Minister So Seyang.)
E197 + (1. In the city of Yŏnghae, there is a moun … 1. In the city of Yŏnghae, there is a mountain range called Sŏŭp (West Weeping). According to popular belief, crossing this ridge for the first time would bring about misfortune to official envoys. Thus, all avoided crossing it. When Son Sunhyo 孫舜孝 (1427–1497) became the governor of Yŏnghae, he defied this belief and immediately went up to the ridge. He removed the bark from an old tree and wrote the following poem, 汝揖華山呼萬歲我將綸命慰羣氓箇中輕重誰能會白日昭然照兩情 You bow to Mt. Hwaand shout “Long live!”I will follow the king’s order and comfort the people.The weight of our calling,who can truly understand?The radiant sun clearly illuminates both of our hearts.As a result, the name of the ridge was changed to P’agoe (Destroying the Uncanny) Hill.d to P’agoe (Destroying the Uncanny) Hill.)
E179 + (1. In the fall of sinhae during the reign … 1. In the fall of sinhae during the reign of Jiajing (1551; Myŏngjong 6), I, in the capacity of a representative of the Ministry of Civil Official Affairs (ibu), went to P’yŏngan province on an official mission. It was there that I had a romance with a kisaeng from Kisŏng, known as Tongjŏngch’un 洞庭春 (Spring at Dongting Lake) (16th century). After my return to the court, she sent me a letter that said, “Unable to see you, whom I miss dearly, I cannot bear this pain of separation. I would rather die and be buried with you. Soon, I will return to the Beauties’ Grotto.” The grotto was located outside the Seven Star Gate of Kisŏng, and kisaengs were all buried there. In response, I jokingly wrote a quatrain and sent it to her, 滿紙縱橫摠誓言自期他日共泉原丈夫一死終難免當作嬋娟洞裏魂 Your letter was filled with words of a solemn vow. I promise that someday we shall be together in the underworld.A man’s death, after all, cannot be avoided.I shall be a ghost in the Beauties’ Grotto. Not long after, she died from an illness. Once again, I wrote a regulated verse as a jest. 生別長含惻惻情那知死別忽呑聲乍聞凶訃腸如裂細憶音容淚自傾書札幾曾來浿水夢魂無復到箕城嬋娟戱語還成讖愧我泉原負舊盟 After our parting in life, I always carried feelings of sorrow.How could have I known our parting in death would suddenly render me speechless?Hearing the news of your passing severs my innards. Vividly remembering your voice and your face, tears stream down on their own. Several letters had arrived from you through the P’ae River.But in my dreams, I have yet to return to Kisŏng.The joke of the Beauties’ Grotto has become a reality.I am sorry I cannot keep our old promise to meet in the underworld. All my friends read it and laughed. In the spring of kimi (1559), I went to Ch’ungch’ŏng province on an official mission. Second Minister (ch’amp’an) Kwŏn Ŭngch’ang 權應昌 (1505–1568) was serving as Magistrate (moksa) of Hongju (Sr. 3), and his illegitimate younger brother Kwŏn Ŭngin 權應仁 (16th century; sobriquet Songgye [Pine Creek]) followed him there. On the day of my arrival, Kwŏn Ŭngin presented me with two regulated verses he had written for singing performance at kisaeng schools. The last lines read, 人生適意無南北莫作嬋娟洞裏魂 In human affairs, if two people share their thoughts,it matters not whether they are in the north or south.Just do not become a ghost in the Beauties’ Grotto!These lines are apposite (chŏldang) and savory (yumi) lines. At the time, I had tender feelings for a local kisaeng named Ongnusŏn 玉樓仙 (Jade Tower Fairy) (16th century), so Kwŏn’s poem resonated with me.entury), so Kwŏn’s poem resonated with me.)
E190 + (1. In the imsin year of the reign of Zheng … 1. In the imsin year of the reign of Zhengde (1512; Chungjong 7), a Japanese envoy came to our capital and fell ill. He and wrote the following poem, 東國館門外四屏山暮春塵埋床下屨蛛網架頭巾枕有思鄉淚門無問病人滄波萬里客惆悵未歸身 Outside the guest house in the Eastern Kingdom,four screening mountains are in late spring.Straw sandals are collecting dust under the bed,and the head scarf has cobwebs.My pillow is soaked with tears shed missing home.At the gate, there is no visitor for this sick person.A wanderer from ten thousand li of sea is in gloom unable to return.The Pacification Commissioner (sŏnwisa) at the time did not stop praising the poem, and the poem was recited widely (chŏnsong) throughout the capital. Upon closer examination, it appears that a monk from the late Tang dynasty composed a similar poem about his dwelling, 枕有思鄉淚門無問疾人塵埋床下履風動架頭巾 My pillow is soaked with tears shed missing home.At the gate, there is no visitor for this sick person.My shoes are collecting dust under the bed,and the winds sway the head scarf on a rack.It just so happened that a Censor (pusa) came across the monk’s poem and reported his situation to the court. Subsequently, the court ordered all monasteries to estalish a House of Recovery (Yŏnsuryo 延壽寮) to take care of monks’ illnesses. The Japanese envoy’s poem used the two couplets by the sick monk, and simply switched the first and the second couplets, and changed the words “shoes” to “straw sandals” and “the winds sway” to “cobwebs.” Those in the capital who spread and recited (chŏnsong) the poem wre likely not well-read, while the Pacification Commissioner lacked discerning eyes. This is truly a laughable matter.ng eyes. This is truly a laughable matter.)
E201 + (1. In the kisa year during the reign of Zh … 1. In the kisa year during the reign of Zhengde (1509; Chungjong 4), there was a magistrate in Samga county in Kyŏngsang province. I cannot recall his name, but he was corrupt and cruel in governance. He fell ill and died. When his coffin was about to depart for the burial site, a county man posted a poem on the front of the coffin, 冥間五鬼虐烝民帝使天羅殺毒身從此閭閻愁怨絶堯天舜日太平春 The Five Demons from the underworld tormented the people,and God threw a net from Heaven and killed the venomous one!Henceforth, the villagers’ worries and resentments will end.Under Yao’s sky and Shun’s sun, there will be the springtime of Great Peace. When the governor (kwanch’alsa) heard this, he said, “The magistrate was certainly wrong, but the county man who wrote the poem also was not right either.” He ordered an investigation and the arrest of the poet but could not capture him in the end. As for the poem, although it is not refined (kong), it nevertheless serves as a warning for corrupt officials.serves as a warning for corrupt officials.)