By Kim Jin-heon
Lee Mae-chang was a “kisaeng,” or courtesan. She was gifted in poetry, taking part in the “geomungo” (Korean harp) and dancing. She, together with Hwang Jinyi and Heo Nanseolheon, have been often called the three girl poets of the Joseon dynasty interval.
Lee was born in Buan, North Jeolla Province, in 1573 and lived till 1610. She lived as a authorities kisaeng, dancing and taking part in geomungo for officers. Her Chinese language poems have been particularly well-known, even in Seoul. Quite a few well-known individuals have been keen to go to Buan to see her.
In these days, a large number of writers who have been noblemen met her and exchanged poems along with her for over 10 years. One such nobleman was Heo Gyun, a novelist and authorities official. Most of their poems have been about love. Because the years glided by, Lee’s fame unfold additional.
At some point, she was visited by Yoo Hee-kyung, who was from the bottom class in Seoul. On the time, she was 20, and he was 48. They fell in love by poetry. Throughout that interval, it was tough to journey the gap from Seoul to Buan, so that they could not meet typically. Once they have been in a position to be collectively, they expressed their emotions in poetry. Yoo wrote the next poem for Lee.
If Rain Drops on the Paulownia Tree
Your own home is in Buan.
My home is in Seoul.
Even when we miss one another, we won’t see one another.
If rain drops on the paulownia tree, I like you extra.
Lee wrote this poem to Yoo:
When the Pear Blossoms Are Flying
When the pear blossoms are flying,
I held you in tears and stated goodbye.
Do you consider me within the autumn leaves?
Taking a look at you far-off, I solely dream about being lonely.
Sadly, the Japanese invaded the Joseon dynasty in 1592. Due to the conflict, Yoo needed to depart Lee to turn into a part of the civilian military. They by no means met once more.
For the following 18 years, regardless that others flirted along with her, Lee’s love for Yoo didn’t change in any respect. She died on the age of 36. At the moment, middle-class males, known as Ajeon, made a tomb and a tombstone for her. They revealed a set of poems to protect her ardour and defend her stunning poetry.
Residents of Buan County have maintained this stunning custom and have held a poetry contest because the early Seventies. In 1993, they helped prepare for the tomb of Lee to be designated as Native Monument No. 65.
On the time the monument was designated, the realm was a cemetery. However in 2001, the county renamed the realm Maechang Park. All the opposite graves have been eliminated, and poem monuments inscribed along with her quite a few poems have been positioned round her tomb. Every monument reminds vacationers of Lee’s sensibility and affection for her lover.
The author is a retired English trainer who revealed the e-book “Flower Is Flower.”
