Sources of Korean Tradition

Sources of Korean Tradition is a comprehensive anthology of primary sources that document Korea's cultural and intellectual heritage from ancient times through the modern era. The collection includes political documents, philosophical texts, religious writings, and literary works translated into English. The two-volume set presents materials chronologically, with Volume One covering the Three Kingdoms period through the sixteenth century, and Volume Two focusing on the late Chosŏn dynasty to the twentieth century. Each section contains introductory essays that provide historical context for the translated documents. The anthology features writings from key Korean historical figures and thinkers, including Buddhist monks, Neo-Confucian scholars, political leaders, and reform advocates. Translation notes and bibliographic information accompany each text selection. This collection reveals the evolution of Korean thought and society through periods of cultural exchange, conflict, and transformation. The sources demonstrate Korea's complex relationship with Chinese civilization while highlighting distinctly Korean philosophical and religious developments.

Readers value this anthology as a comprehensive collection of primary sources covering Korean history, philosophy, and culture. The two-volume set serves as a reference text in many Korean studies programs. Likes: - Clear translations of hard-to-find historical documents - Detailed annotations providing context - Coverage of both pre-modern and modern periods - Inclusion of women's voices and common people's perspectives Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style - Some passages lack sufficient background explanation - High price point for both volumes - Print quality issues in some editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (21 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) One reader noted: "The citations and footnotes alone make this invaluable for research." Another mentioned: "Too focused on elite perspectives despite claiming to cover common people's experiences." Most reviews come from students and academics rather than general readers, reflecting its primary use as a scholarly resource.

Sources of Chinese Tradition by William Theodore de Bary A collection of primary source documents spanning Chinese history from ancient times through the twentieth century with translations and historical context.

Sources of Japanese Tradition by Donald Keene A compilation of key texts and documents from Japanese history, religion, philosophy, and politics from earliest times to the modern era.

The Rise of Korean Leadership by Robert J. Myers This work presents Korean historical documents and political writings that trace the development of Korean governance from the Three Kingdoms period through modern times.

Anthology of Korean Literature by Peter H. Lee The text contains translations of Korean literary works from the earliest times to the nineteenth century, including poetry, prose, and historical writings.

East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History by Patricia Buckley Ebrey, Anne Walthall A comprehensive examination of primary sources and historical documents from China, Japan, and Korea with focus on cultural interconnections.

🔷 The book was first published in 1997 as part of Columbia University's "Introduction to Asian Civilizations" series, which includes similar volumes on Chinese, Japanese, and Indian traditions. 🔷 William Theodore de Bary (1919-2017) was a pioneer in East Asian studies who taught at Columbia University for over 70 years and developed the concept of "Neo-Confucian" studies in Western academia. 🔷 The collection includes rare translations of documents from the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE-935 CE), offering unique insights into early Korean Buddhism and state formation. 🔷 De Bary collaborated with Korean scholars Yongho Ch'oe and Peter H. Lee to ensure authentic interpretations of primary sources, many of which had never before been available in English. 🔷 The book covers over 1,500 years of Korean history and thought, from ancient times through the Joseon Dynasty, including key texts about the development of Korean Confucianism, Buddhism, and indigenous Korean beliefs.