Yangsan City Museum to Hold Special Exhibition
from May 16 to July 29
Yangsan City Museum in Gyeongnam (Director: Shin Yongcheol) will hold a special exhibition titled "Joseon Tongsinsa and Yangsan" from May 16 to July 29 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan.
This exhibition aims to shed light on the diplomatic journey and cultural achievements of the Joseon Tongsinsa, while also reflecting on the historical significance of Yangsan, which played a key role along the envoy's route.
The Joseon Tongsinsa was an official diplomatic delegation dispatched by the King of Joseon to the Japanese shogunate at the request of Japan a total of 12 times from 1607 to 1811. The envoys served as an important bridge for peace and cultural exchange in East Asia during that era.
Joseon Tongsinsa Procession Scroll, Edo period, color on paper, Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum.
The exhibition consists of four sections. The first section traces the journey of the Joseon Tongsinsa from Hanyang to Edo, highlighting the historical significance of each stop along the route. The second section introduces the activities in Yangsan and the achievements of local figures through various historical materials.
The third section explores the depth of cultural interaction between the two countries through paintings, poetry, and calligraphy exchanged between the envoys and Japanese literati. Finally, the fourth section highlights the value of preservation and historical significance of Joseon Tongsinsa-related records that have been inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
The exhibition features a total of over 70 items. Notable works include documentary paintings such as "Return Journey on Land" and "Joseon Tongsinsa Procession," as well as works created by accompanying court painters, such as "Portrait of Sunoin" and "Portrait of Jukho."
In particular, to provide a multifaceted perspective on the exchanges between the two countries at the time, the exhibition was made possible through the cooperation of domestic and international institutions, including the Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum, Amagasaki City Museum of History, and the National Maritime Museum.
The most noteworthy piece in this exhibition is "Dalmatodo" by Kim Myungguk, a court painter who accompanied the envoys at the request of the Japanese side. This work, which depicts Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, stands out for Kim Myungguk's unique and expressive brushwork and will be unveiled to the Korean public for the first time during this exhibition.
Dalmatodo by Kim Myungguk, 金明國達磨圖 Edo period (17th century), ink on paper, Amagasaki City Museum of History.
Kim Myungguk was a highly popular artist in Japan, having participated consecutively as a court painter in the fourth and fifth Joseon Tongsinsa missions. This exhibition is expected to offer a valuable opportunity to directly appreciate his artistry and the status of the Joseon art world.
This exhibition focuses on the historical role that Yangsan played during the Joseon Tongsinsa's journey to Japan. Records such as "Haesarok" (by Gyeong Seom, 1607) and "Dongsarok" (by Kang Hongjung, 1624), which document the first envoy's journey, note that the delegation stopped at Yongdang Station in Yangsan for lunch, and that the magistrate of Yangsan and the inspector of Hwangsan personally welcomed them and provided supplies.
This demonstrates that Yangsan was not simply a stopover but an important diplomatic route, and the exhibition is expected to serve as an opportunity to re-examine the city's historical significance.
Shin Yongcheol, Director of Yangsan City Museum, stated, "This special exhibition is a rare opportunity to see valuable artifacts related to the envoys all in one place," and added, "We hope many citizens will take interest and participate to explore the historical significance of Yangsan."
To maximize the significance of this exhibition, the museum will also host an international academic symposium in the main auditorium on May 30 from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the exhibition period.
For inquiries regarding the exhibition and symposium, please contact the curatorial team at Yangsan City Museum.
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