Yi Maechang Explained

Hangul:이매창
Hanja:李梅窓
Rr:I Mae-chang
Mr:I Mae-ch'ang

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

Biography

She was born to a man Yi Tang-jong 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, Jeonbuk State, South Korea.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Yi, Pae-yong . Women in Korean History 한국 역사 속의 여성들 . 2008 . Ewha Womans University Press . 978-89-7300-772-1 . en.
  2. Book: Kim . Young Chun . South Korean Education and Learning Excellence as a Hallyu: Ethnographic Understandings of a Nation's Academic Success . Jo . Jae-seong . Jung . Jung-Hoon . 2023-08-11 . Taylor & Francis . 978-1-000-92847-1 . en.
  3. Book: Korean Cultural Series . 1960 . en.
  4. Book: Lee . Hai-soon . The Poetic World of Classic Korean Women Writers . Yi . Hye-sun . 2005-01-01 . Ewha Womans University Press . 978-89-7300-627-4 . en.
  5. Book: 研究論文集 . 1987 . 誠信女子大學校 . ko.