Koryŏ Sources: There Is More to Koryŏ than Celadon

Abstract:Very few western scholars have ventured into the study of Koryŏ. Moreover, Koryŏ, often looked upon as the middle of Korea’s three dynastic periods, gets little respect in Korean historical circles. This lack of focus on Koryŏ is due in part to rather limited sources when compared to the richness of Chosŏn. Despite this, there still remain important sources such as official dynastic histories, miscellaneous literary writings, religious tracts, tomb and other inscriptions that beg for translation. Although the perils that confront the translator are many, the process of uncovering the past and making it accessible to general readers offers unique rewards. This paper explores these issues and reveals this writer’s own problems and successes in translating Koryŏ source material. Koryŏ sources pointedly show that there is much more to this often overlooked kingdom than just celadon.