Poetry - Kaji

A form of Korean poetry. It originated in the early Yi dynasty. It is characterized by a verse form with prose-like content and a continuous 3-4 or 4-4 rhythm. The first work of kaji is said to be "Jangchungok" by Jeong Keul-in (1401-81). It is a poem written in his later years about the spring scenery in his hometown of Tae-in. While previous poetry was similar to Chinese poetry, "Jangchungok" was a beautiful harmony between elegant Korean and Chinese-style poetry, making it a highly refined poetic form. The form of kaji literature, established by "Jangchungok," was later perfected by Jeong Cheol. Works such as "Kanto Bekkyoku," in which the author skillfully recites in flowing Korean the scenery, customs, and historical tales of the region while sightseeing at Mount Kongo and the Eight Views of Kanto, and "Somijinkyoku" and "Zokubijinkyoku," in which the marriage between ruler and vassal is likened to the love and hate between men and women, can be said to be the pinnacle of literary poetry.

The next poet of verses to follow Jeong Cheol was Park In-ro (1561-1642). Whereas previous verses were mostly descriptive poems or songs expressing the feelings of retired scholars, Park In-ro composed many verses rooted in real life. His works "Shipboard Lament" and "Taipei Sung," which are said to have been written to comfort the naval forces fighting the Japanese army, were both written on the battlefield. After the 17th century, verses passed into the hands of the common people. Then, writers extended to women, and "Uchibo verses" became popular.

[Yoon Hak Jun]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

朝鮮詩歌の一形態。李(り)朝初期に発生した。韻文形式に散文的な内容を盛ったもので、三・四調または四・四調の音律で延々と続くのが特徴。歌辞の最初の作品は丁克仁(ていこくじん)（1401―81）の『賞春曲』だといわれている。作者が晩年、郷里の泰仁で春の景色を詠んだもの。それまでの詩歌が漢詩まがいのものであったのに対して、『賞春曲』は流麗な朝鮮語と漢文調とがみごとに調和したもので、格調の高い詩形となった。『賞春曲』によって形式が定着した歌辞文学はその後鄭澈(ていてつ)によって大成した。金剛山や関東八景を遊覧しながらその地方の風景や風俗、故事などを流麗な朝鮮語で巧みに詠み上げた『関東別曲』や、君臣の離合を男女の愛憎に例えて歌った『思美人曲』『続美人曲』などは歌辞文学の白眉(はくび)といえよう。

　鄭澈に続く歌辞の作者としては朴仁老(ぼくじんろう)（1561―1642）がいる。それまでの歌辞が、隠退した士人たちの叙景歌や心境を歌ったものが多かったのに対して、朴仁老は実生活に根ざした歌辞を多くつくった。日本軍と闘う水軍たちを慰めるためにつくったといわれる『船上歎』や『太平詞』はともに戦場でつくられたもの。17世紀以後歌辞は庶民たちの手に移る。そして作者が婦人層にまで及び、「内房歌辞」が盛んになる。

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