Joseon Dynasty

The Joseon Dynasty (alternatively, Choson or Chosun) was the final ruling dynasty of Korea, lasting from 1392 until 1910. It was founded by the Jeonju Yi family, and was preceded by the Goryeo dynasty.

Science and culture

During the Joseon Dynasty, a centralized administrative system was installed based on Confucian yangban scholars who acted as the counsellors to the king and made up most of the officer class of the imperial army. The expansion of scholarship on the Confucian classics was attended by a new moral system, as Buddhism's medieval cloistering of scholars gave way to an urban sophistication based on wider travel and knowledge.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Joseon Dynasty also presided over two periods of great cultural growth, during which Joseon culture created the first Korean Tea Ceremony, Korean Gardens, and extensive encyclopaedias. The royal dynasty also built several fortresses, trading harbors, and palaces.

Related Topics:
Korean Tea Ceremony - Korean Gardens

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many Korean inventions are from this period, such as the first Asian sundial and the world's first water-powered clock. During the Joseon period, the metal printing press, invented during the Goryeo dynasty in 1232 AD, supplanted the wood-block printing press in China.

Related Topics:
Sundial - Printing press - 1232

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~