| Yi Maechang | |
| Hangul | 이매창 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 李梅窓 |
| Revised Romanization | I Maechang |
| McCune–Reischauer | I Maech'ang |
Yi Mae-chang (Korean: 이매창; Hanja: 李梅窓; 1573–1610), born Yi Hyang-geum (이향금; 李香今), was a famed kisaeng of the Buan area during the Joseon period. She was known by Maechang (매창; 梅窓), Gyesaeng (계생, 桂生/癸生), and Gyerang (계랑, 桂娘/癸娘).
Biography
She was born to a man Yi Tang-jong (이탕종; 李湯從) 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.
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, North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
See also
References
- Yi, Pae-yong (2008). Women in Korean History 한국 역사 속의 여성들. Ewha Womans University Press. ISBN 978-89-7300-772-1.
- Kim, Young Chun; Jo, Jae-seong; Jung, Jung-Hoon (2023-08-11). South Korean Education and Learning Excellence as a Hallyu: Ethnographic Understandings of a Nation's Academic Success. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-92847-1.
- Korean Cultural Series. 1960.
- Lee, Hai-soon; Yi, Hye-sun (2005-01-01). The Poetic World of Classic Korean Women Writers. Ewha Womans University Press. ISBN 978-89-7300-627-4.
- 研究論文集 (in Korean). 誠信女子大學校. 1987.
- Hwang, Won-gap (황원갑). (1997). 한국사를 바꾼 여인들 (Hanguksareul bakkun yeoindeul) (The women who changed Korean history). Seoul: 책이있는마을. ISBN 89-5639-014-2
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