@article{ART003380931},
author={NOH YEONSONG},
title={The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u},
journal={The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture},
issn={2466-1759},
year={2026},
number={58},
pages={113-153}
TY - JOUR
AU - NOH YEONSONG
TI - The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u
JO - The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture
PY - 2026
VL - null
IS - 58
PB - The Society of Korean Poetry and Culture
SP - 113
EP - 153
SN - 2466-1759
AB - This study aims to examine the literary career of Haksan (學山) Lee Jeok-u—a man of letters and Confucian scholar during the Japanese colonial period—by looking at his life and the classical Chinese poetry he left behind. As a Confucian scholar, Haksan was committed to upholding tradition and preserving indigenous culture, reflecting a typical response among intellectuals who lived in rural seclusion at the time. Indeed, an examination of his life reveals that he not only devoted himself to scholarship but also actively engaged with other prominent literary figures of the era. Consequently, while Haksan achieved a certain level of scholarly success, he received relatively less recognition compared to literary figures who actively incorporated the characteristics of the era into their works. Nevertheless, a deep understanding of literary activities during the Japanese colonial period requires examining not only political struggles but also the lives of rural intellectuals who upheld tradition and forged scholarly bonds. Dedicating oneself to literature was a practice centered on preserving Korea’s scholarly system and carrying on its literary traditions—a commitment clearly evident in Haksan’s own life. In this context, Haksan Lee Jeok-u can be considered one of the key scholars who upheld the domestic scholarly tradition during the Japanese colonial period. Consequently, I selected Haksan Lee Jeok-u as the subject of my research and set out to trace his scholarly journey.
To this end, this study first examines materials such as literary works and biographical accounts contained in Haksan Yugo (Collected Works of Haksan) to explore Haksan’s scholarly orientation and the nature of his intellectual solidarity with fellow literati. Haksan Lee Jeok-u maintained close ties with prominent literary figures of his time—such as Ha Gyeom-jin, Jo Geung-seop, and Kim Hwang—demonstrating that he was not merely an isolated recluse but a Confucian scholar dedicated to upholding traditional values. However, as his collected works do not explicitly record the dates of composition, reconstructing a strict chronological timeline presents limitations. Consequently, this study adopts a thematic classification as its primary analytical framework while seeking a deeper understanding of the works’ significance by contextualizing them within the details of Haksan’s life and his relationships with contemporaries. This analytical approach moves beyond the surface meanings found in Haksan’s classical Chinese poetry to reveal the temptations of the secular world he experienced, his wariness toward them, his resolve to practice Neo-Confucian teachings, and the steadfast integrity and fidelity he upheld as an orthodox Confucian scholar. Consequently, this study is significant for shedding light on the life of a Confucian scholar living in seclusion during the Japanese colonial period, thereby expanding the scope of research into classical Chinese literature and re-examines the inner struggles faced by intellectuals of that era.
KW - Haksan;Lee Jeok-u;Haksan Yugo;Japanese colonial period;Chinese poetry.
DO -
UR -
ER -
NOH YEONSONG. (2026). The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u. The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture, 58, 113-153.
NOH YEONSONG. 2026, "The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u", The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture, no.58, pp.113-153.
NOH YEONSONG "The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u" The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture 58 pp.113-153 (2026) : 113.
NOH YEONSONG. The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u. 2026; 58 : 113-153.
NOH YEONSONG. "The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u" The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture no.58(2026) : 113-153.
NOH YEONSONG. The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u. The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture, 58, 113-153.
NOH YEONSONG. The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u. The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture. 2026; 58 113-153.
NOH YEONSONG. The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u. 2026; 58 : 113-153.
NOH YEONSONG. "The Life and Poetry of Haksan Lee Jeok-u" The Studies in Korean Poetry and Culture no.58(2026) : 113-153.
