Influence of Chinese Culture: Korea
Owing to the adjacent geographic position and the frequent cultural communications between ancient China and Korea, the Koreans have no less understanding of traditional Chinese culture than the Chinese. In history, Korea used to call itself “the small China”, if they were not “part of China” then.
The first recorded regime in Korea, Gija Joseon, was founded by a member of the royal family of the Shang Dynasty (about 17 century BC to 11 century BC) of China. When the Shang Dynasty was replaced by the Zhou Dynasty (1066 BC - 256 BC), many Chinese fled to the Korean peninsula. Later, Gija Joseon paid obeisance and tribute to the Zhou Dynasty, officially acknowledging China as its mother country.
At the beginning of the Han Dynasty (200 BC - 220 AD), another Chinese man went to the Korean peninsula and took the place of the former king. His regime is called Wiman Joseon. This regime did last long. In 100 BC, the Chinese emperor of Han sent troops to Korea and ended the Wiman Joseon. Afterwards, the area was ruled by counties, in the same way as that in China proper.
The Han Dynasty was a glorious era in Chinese history. It was powerful in all aspects. Besides, it lasted for so long that it actually set up the foundation the Chinese nation. Even in today, the majority of Chinese people still call themselves the Han nationality. Taking into account this and the fact that Korea was part of China during this magnificent period, we can sense how important the influence China had upon Korea.
For the time afterward, China was often in the state of fission. As China was not united itself, Korea gradually became more independent. Thus said, Korea still paid tribute to the central government of China for most of the time. Korea was also protected by China. For example, when Japan invaded Korea in the 16th century, Korea turned to China, who was in the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD - 1683 AD), for help. After China defeated Japan for Korea, Korea was so grateful that two centuries after Ming was replaced by the Qing Dynasty, they still deemed Ming to be the true lord.
Korea was so close to China that almost every aspect of its culture has China’s impact. Besides, it has been a bridge between China and Japan. As China has been on the wane in the modern times, both Korea and Japan have tried to remove China’s brand. Korea seems to have gone to the extreme to claim originality for many Chinese cultural heritages, which has caused discontent in both China and Japan. The history and culture of these Asian countries are intervened. It might be better for all if they can face it.
this is so biased. beat japan for korea? you forgot to put in the part that says, “korea went to war with japan, because of it’s decision not to join japan, and attack ming.” there are so many fallacies in this post that i won’t even bother.
Thank you Muck. This is a very brief account. It cannot contain every detail. You are right in saying that Korea did not want to join Japan so it fought against Japan. Maybe I should have written “Ming helped Korea beat Japan”.
This is Chinese Perspective which is wrong many ways.
1) Founder of weiman chosun wasn’t chinese. He was Korean-Manchurian descent
Korea wasn’t small country. Korean territory expanded to Korean peninsula to Manchuria. In history Koreans have lived in Manchuria much longer then Manchurians or Chinese put together.
Puyo Tribe. During that period of time. The word Chinese or China did not exist.
2) Koreans and Chinese had many wars.
3) If Koreans or Nation of Korea were ” Small China” or ” Second China” then
Koreans must speak Chinese or Korean language share same or similiar Chinese
grammar structure. As you know Korean language grammar structure does not
share anyway with Chinese language.
4) Koreans formed three Kingdom ( Korguryo, Paekje, Shilla, Kaya) in which all these
kingdoms fought with China and Chinese. Then after ( Parhae Kingdom absorbed many
Korean tribes from Korguryo/ Manchuria) they also fought with Chinese/ China.
5) Korean history and Korean Identity is based on ” Not becoming part of China”. 4,500 years this is what Korean history is based on.
6) Koreans have adopted many Chinese culture with Koreanization twist. In reality it was radical change. Korean language and Korean food etc.
7) Koreans as a race share much more kinship with Mongolians, and Manchurians instead
of ” Han- Chinese”.
9) Koreans and Chinese ” culturally and racially” you can tell difference. Unlike Taiwanese or South east Asians.
10) Korea ( English name derived from Korean kingdom) Ko chosun, Korguryo, Koryo, Korea. Korea ancient name was called ” Chosun” but Koreans adopted ” Korea from Korguryo Kingdom” Korguryo Kingdom was Korean Ethnic Identity.
Korea4one, good points.
You recognize that in history Koreans have spent a very long time living in Manchuria, which was and is part of China. (The Manchurians are relatively newcomers, and that place was not called Manchuria before. )
You recognize that Korean and Chinese culture, including language, share many similarities. Of course there are distinctions, but the distinctions between different parts within China are quite remarkable, too.
And yes, the difference is becoming larger and Korea has got more Korean style, especially since China lost much of its influece after the fall of Ming Dynasty, and later the entrance of Western culture.
Korea wanted to be “small China” at a time when “China” was the synonym of civilization. Surely not the English word “China”, but the Chinese name “Zhonghua” or “Huaxia”.
Today, the two cultures are so distinct, but I can’t see the necessity to deny their historical connections.
When you talk about Chosun, don’t forget this name is picked up by a Chinese ruler (Chao Xian as the Chinese pronunciation).
As for Weiman, so you have got new evidence to say he was not a Chinese? Korean-Manchurian descent? I thought at that time Manchurians had not appeared in history yet!
And what about Jizi? You think he was also of a Korean-Manchurian origin or he did not exist at all?
1) Koreans pronounce ( Chosun) not chioxian in chinese.
Korean Language consist 80 percent Korean alphabet, 20 percent Chinese characters. Koreans use Chinese characters or vocabulary like English adopted Greek, Latin, French, German vocabulary.
2) Korean grammar is not related to chinese.
3) Koreans and Korean grammar is related to ” Altaic” group. ( Koreans, Japanese, Manchurians, Turkish, Mongolians).
4) Koreans have lived in Manchuria alot longer then Manchurians and Chinese. If Manchurians didn’t exist then chinese didn’t exist either.
5) Korean land ( Geographical land boundary) consist Manchuria and Korean Peninsula. Ko-Chosun, Korguryo, Parhae Kingdom. ( All three were Korean Kingdoms). Not chinese.
6) Korean eat Korean food. Not Chinese.
7) Korean cultural Identity. Not Chinese.
9) Korean Professors translate old Chinese characters for modern day chinese people because chinese can’t even read old chinese even though chinese characters came from china.
10) Korea is Korea, China is China two countries have been different for 5 thousand years. If you ( wooway, clip) have hard time accepting the truth. Then its your problem not mine.