Jo Hyeong
Encyclopedia
Jo Hyeong was a scholar-official of the Joseon Dynasty
Korea
in 17th century.
He was also diplomat
and ambassador
, representing Joseon
interests in the 6th Edo period
diplomatic mission to the Tokugawa shogunate
in Japan.
sent a mission to the shogunal court of Tokugawa Ietsuna
. This diplomatic mission functioned to the advantage of both the Japanese and the Koreans as a channel for developing a political foundation for trade.
The delegation was explicitly identified by the Joseon court as a "Communication Envoy" (tongsinsa). The mission was understood to signify that relations were "normalized."
The mission arrived in Japan during the 1st year of Meireki
according to in the Japanese calendar in use at that time. Jo Hyeong was the chief envoy of the Joseon embassy which was received in the shogunate court at Edo from where the delegation were taken in a procession to the Tōshō-gū at Nikkō.
In western culture
early published accounts of the Joseon kingdom are not extensive but they are found in Sangoku Tsūran Zusetsu (published in Paris in 1832) and in Nihon ōdai ichiran (published in Paris in 1834). Joseon foreign relations and diplomacy are explicitly referenced in the 1834 work.
The term "Joseon Dynasty" is equivalent to "Joseon kingdom" and it is a preferred usage in the 21st century.
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
in 17th century.
He was also diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
, representing Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
interests in the 6th Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
diplomatic mission to the Tokugawa shogunate
Tokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
in Japan.
1655 mission to Japan
In 1655 King Hyojong of JoseonHyojong of Joseon
King Hyojong was the seventeenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1649 to 1659. He is best known for his plan for expedition to Manchu Qing dynasty and his campaigns against the Russian Empire by the request of Qing Dynasty...
sent a mission to the shogunal court of Tokugawa Ietsuna
Tokugawa Ietsuna
was the fourth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty of Japan who was in office from 1651 to 1680. He was the eldest son of Tokugawa Iemitsu, thus making him the grandson of Tokugawa Hidetada and the great-grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu.-Early Life :...
. This diplomatic mission functioned to the advantage of both the Japanese and the Koreans as a channel for developing a political foundation for trade.
The delegation was explicitly identified by the Joseon court as a "Communication Envoy" (tongsinsa). The mission was understood to signify that relations were "normalized."
The mission arrived in Japan during the 1st year of Meireki
Meireki
was a after Jōō and before Manji. This period spanned the years from April 1655 to July 1658. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1655 : The era name was changed to mark the enthronement of Emperor Go-Sai...
according to in the Japanese calendar in use at that time. Jo Hyeong was the chief envoy of the Joseon embassy which was received in the shogunate court at Edo from where the delegation were taken in a procession to the Tōshō-gū at Nikkō.
Recognition in the West
Jo Hyeong's historical significance was confirmed when his mission and his name were specifically mentioned in a widely-distributed history published by the Oriental Translation Fund in 1834.In western culture
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
early published accounts of the Joseon kingdom are not extensive but they are found in Sangoku Tsūran Zusetsu (published in Paris in 1832) and in Nihon ōdai ichiran (published in Paris in 1834). Joseon foreign relations and diplomacy are explicitly referenced in the 1834 work.
The term "Joseon Dynasty" is equivalent to "Joseon kingdom" and it is a preferred usage in the 21st century.