Author-ized L.J.Dec 12

#WritersCoffeeClub Dec. 12 – Who is a writer whose life inspires you?

Gang Jeong-il-dang (靜一堂, art name meaning "House of the One Calm"), a 18th-19th century scholar & writer in the #Chosun era of #Korea. She studied neo-Confucianism and wrote despite the constraints placed on women's intellectual lives, and had a lifelong friend and companion in her husband Yun Gwang-yeon who was her academic and artistic fellow traveler and deeply respected her abilities. She was admired for her steadfast grace despite a life with its share of poverty and grief (the couple lost all nine of their children as infants), and after her death Yun spent his entire fortune to publish her writings despite his own financial difficulties--highly unusual dignity given to a woman's works, and the reason much of her words come down to us today. Here's an informative English-language article about her: https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/contents_view.htm?menu_cate=history&board_seq=61384&page=4

In addition to her scholarly works, Jeong-il-dang wrote about subjects such as starting her studies later in life and feeling the encroachment of age in her 50s, which I identify with a lot as someone who started a "real" creative writing career in my 40s. I also adore the relationship she had with her husband in their mutual support, learning, and admiration, much like I have with my own 💓

<strong>Kang Jeongildang,</strong> Female Confucian Scholar of Joseon

A Joseon Woman of Great Knowledge of Neo-Confucianism Neo-Confucianism was established by scholars of Song and Ming Dynasties of China. During the era of the Korean kingdom ...

Show threadAuthor-ized L.J.Dec 12

始課

姜靜一堂

三十始課讀
於學迷西東
及今須努力
庶期古人同

Starting My Studies

by Gang Jeong-il-dang

My studies at the age of thirty start
To West and East confusion does unfold
If yet I should but strive with all my heart
May I yet emulate the sage of old.

#poetry #translation

Show threadAuthor-ized L.J.Dec 12

Huh, turns out Jeong-il-dang's mother-in-law, a lady from the house of Cheonan Jeon, was also a renowned scholar and writer. Coincidence?? It seems the art name Jeong-il-dang itself was in part a tribute to her mother-in-law's art name Ji-il-dang (只一堂, House of the Sole One).

Gang Jeong-il-dang was 20 at the time of her marriage, fully old enough to display the qualities of quiet virtue and desire for learning that would eventually make her name, so it seems very plausible her future MIL selected her based on such traits. It was unlikely to have started out as a love match at any rate since Jeong-il-dang's husband was a boy of 14 when they married, though they turned out to be Perfectly Matched over the years.

So the bride was certainly well-chosen if Ji-il-dang's intent was to have an intellectual and literary daughter of the spirit to guide her son! Or maybe it was Jeong-il-dang who strove to emulate her husband's mother, starting with her art name. There are few remaining records or writings of Ji-il-dang other than her renown as a scholar/writer, but a very touching poetry exchange between mother- and daughter-in-law survives showcasing both the close relationship between the women and the difference in their poetic styles.

Show threadAnderlandbooksDec 12
@ljwrites I love this.
Show threadAuthor-ized L.J.
@anderlandbooks Thank you! I love these surprising glimpses into people and lives that go beyond flat impressions of an era.
Dec 13 at 12:55amWeb