Motyw podróży w koreańskich poematach kasa
Travel in Korean Classical Poetry kasa

Contemplation, Diplomacy, Exile

Author(s): Ewa Rynarzewska
Subject(s): Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: travel; poetry kasa; Korean literature; kwan’yu kasa; sahaeng kasa; yubae kasa; Manŏnsa; Chŏng Chŏ’l; Hong Sun-hak; Kim In-gyŏm
Summary/Abstract: The main subject of research is travel theme described on the example of the classical Korean narrative poetry called kasa. This poetry represents one of three main genres that flourished in Chosŏn state (1392–1910) and was created by officials and scholars who used the form of kasa to describe their own experiences of the journey. The great popularity of kasa among social and intellectual elite resulted in developing various artistic solutions and, eventually, in evolving an autonomous type of kasa called kihaeng kasa (“travel kasa”) that enriched the literary heritage of Korean medieval “travel literature” (kihaeng munhak). The long form of kasa, which is the most distinct characteristic of this literary genre, served many different purposes. It enabled its authors to express their own personal emotions, present their aesthetic view and philosophical reflection, manifest their political convictions or simply give an account of travel events submitted to the royal court after the journey. Different motivations of Korean authors resulted in wide variety of literary solutions of kasa, which is the main subject of this research. Its goal is to distinguish main trends developed within kasa, to describe their artistic features and discuss the literary picture of travel presented in selected examples of kasa poetry works.

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