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Educations of Royal Family Women in Joseon
Philosophy of Education
2008,
(34), pp.213-243
DOI : 10.22918/pesk..34.200804.213
Publisher : The Philophy Of Education Society Of Korea
Research Area : Education
DOI : 10.22918/pesk..34.200804.213
Publisher : The Philophy Of Education Society Of Korea
Research Area : Education
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Gantaek (designation) procedure was essential for noble women to become Royal family women. It was King Taejong period at which Gantaek system was introduced officially. From King Sejong period, seniors of Royal family, including King, had designated candidates in person regularly. Gantaek had three steps: First Gantaek, Second Gantaek and Third Gantaek. After a candidate was designated finally at Third Gantaek, she immediately had to learn and practise the courtesy of Royal family at royal villa until the day of auspicious ceremony. As the weddings of Royal family had related to political issues inevitably, Gantaek also was not free from political issues based on party opinions and party colors. Representative moral training books for Royal family women in the early Joseon are 「Yeolyeoeojeon (列女傳)」 that was imported from China and 「Neahun (內訓)」 edited by Queen Sohye (昭惠王后). 「Yeolyeoeojeon (列女傳)」 was read widely also by noble men as a educational book. 「Neahun (內訓)」 contributed greatly to the spread of Confucian ideas among women. After Japanese invasion and Chinese invasion, the late Joseon society faced new situations. It was very urgent to restore the broken social order, so government reinforced the order based on Sung Confucianism. It gave rise to the dogmatism of Sung Confucianism. In such situation, there came out many moral training books for women focused on the ideal type of women in Confucianism society. Such books were written mainly by noble families. In Royal family, also, systemic education for Royal family women had continued. In particular, King Yeongjo made various policies to reinforce Royal family education and added Royal family women education into the policies. As like noble women who had to memorize the genealogical table of husband's family, Royal family women also had to make oneself familiar with the genealogical table of Royal family as well as the achievements of family members. Royal family had inseparable relations with the shift of political power. So, the lives of Royal family women were also changed by the parties and power maps surrounding them. Viewed in terms of daily lives, Royal family women should be extremely polite to seniors while they had to be mild and dignified to juniors. In addition, Royal family women should be honest in mind and body and not negligent, and make frugality of their virtues.
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