The Influence of Confucianism on Extra-Territorial Poetics--Centered on the “Oriental Poetry Talks” of the Korean Dynasty

Abstract

The development of poetics in East Asian countries has never been independent of each other but has been complementary and mutually advanced through long-term interactions and exchanges. The reason for this is that East Asia has long been based on Chinese culture, and in this Chinese cultural circle, a regional order has been formed with Chinese culture as the center and Confucianism as the common philosophy. It can be said that Confucianism is not only the mainstream cultural thought that has influenced China for more than 2,000 years; after it was introduced to such extraterritorial countries as Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, the East Asian countries, with their common Confucian classics, have made people have similar sensibilities in their understanding of human nature and values. Therefore, the Korean poetic discourse, which developed under the influence of Chinese poetic discourse, naturally retained a great deal of Confucian culture. With the keynote of respecting Confucianism and exalting Confucius, the social value, purpose and value orientation of poetry are clearly and richly imprinted with Confucian poetics.