Craft, Technology, and the Military Arts in Chosŏn Korea
Chosŏn Korea enjoyed long periods of peace, but the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries saw tumultuous regional conflicts. The Imjin War of 1592–1598 and the Manchu invasions of 1627 and 1636 devastated the country and threatened to destabilize its political system. What has been less appreciated are the technological advances achieved by the Chosŏn military during this period. This exhibit features student reactions to reading about the role of artisanal knowledge in this process.
Korean Military Evolution and Tactics in the 16th and 17th century
When we look back at the Korean military back in the 16th and 17th centuries, we are often given general information about it and on its actions during wars that occurred throughout this time period. From the Imjin War to the later Qing invasions decades later, we are shown the Korean military in a manner that makes one think of them as weak, ill-prepared and not very effective as a fighting…
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The Korean Military Revolution: Muskets and Volley Fire
It is commonly known, among historians, that Europe underwent a military revolution during the early modern period (1500-1800). They developed new, upgraded styles of warfare, which is often seen as giving them "a clear advantage over the other peoples of the world" (Andrade, Kang, Cooper, 52).…
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How war shaped Korean ideas of nation
The Japanese invasion of Korea or the Imjin War (1592–1598) is regarded as one of the most traumatic events in the history of Korea. The invasions broke out into a full-scale East Asian war which included the involvement of the Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. Despite its atrocities, one significant outcome of the invasions is the discourse of nation that emerged during the sixteenth century. This…
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