Yu Sang Explained

Yu Sang (; 1643–1723[1]), alternatively Ryu Sang, courtesy name Yeojin (汝珍, 여진),[2] was a royal court physician and politician of the Korean Joseon dynasty. He was a smallpox specialist who successfully treated three Joseon kings.

In 1693, due to having cured Sukjong's smallpox, he was granted a political office. Later he became the governor of Seosan, Goyang, Hapcheon and Saknyeong.[2]

His experiences with smallpox are detailed in his book, Gogeum Gyeongheom Hwalyubang (古今經驗活幼方).[3]

Supernatural anecdotes featuring him and a divine being circulated due to his fame.[4]

Family

He was a 23rd-generation descendant of the Munhwa Ryu clan.[3] His father Yu Gyeongjib (柳景緝) served as an observation officer (觀察使, gwanchalsa).[2] His son Yu Jungrim (柳重臨) was also a medical practitioner who also wrote the agricultural text Jeungbo sallim gyeongje.[5]

Notes and References

  1. 오 . 재근 . 2021 . 조선 의관 허준의 두창 의학과 '변증(辨證)' . Joseon physician Heo Joon’s Smallpox Medicine and ‘Syndrome differentiation (辨證)’ . Korean Journal of Medical History . ko . 30 . 1 . 35–68 . 10.13081/kjmh.2021.30.35 . 10556484 . 34010848 . 234791352 . free . 12 June 2021.
  2. Web site: 김 . 신근. 유상(柳瑺). ko. Yu Sang. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. 12 June 2021.
  3. ko. 유상의 고금경험활유방 연구. 12 June 2021. A Study on YU Sang’s [柳瑺] Book on Smallpox, the GogeumGyeongheomHwalyubang [古今經驗活幼方]. 김 . 동율. 조. 학준). The Journal of Korean Medical History. 2017. 30. 2. 119–131.
  4. Book: Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature. The National Folk Museum of Korea. 2014. Chung Myung-sub. 978-89-289-0084-8. 152.
  5. Web site: 김. 신근. 유중림(柳重臨). ko. Yu Jungrim. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. 12 June 2021.