Nongae
| Nongae | |
| Hangul | 논개 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 論介 |
| Revised Romanization | Non-gae |
| McCune–Reischauer | Non'gae |
Nongae (? ~ 1593) [1][2][3] was a gisaeng of Jinju in the late 16th century, born in Jangsu, Jeolla province.[4] She has been taught and celebrated as one of the examples of personal contributions of Korean women.[5]
Life
Born between Ju Dal-moon who seemed to be a learned scholar and Mrs. Park,[6] she was the late child to the couple whose son died at a young age of fifteen. When she was just 4, her father died and her extended family plotted to take her, wanting to make her the wife of a male heir. Her mother soon found out and stole her away but was caught and jailed. Her trial was overseen by province official Choi Kyong Hwe who ruled on behalf of her innocence but Nongae, seeing that she had no place to go and no family to trust, at the age of 17 became his concubine and lived in his house.[4][5]
In 1592, Japanese forces invaded Korean peninsula, which is so-called Imjin war, while official Choi (husband of Nongae) was assassinated. Afterwards, the Japanese were finally successful in their invasion of Suyeong fortress (now near Jinju area). To celebrate the victory, soldiers forced all kisaengs, what are female entertainers, to serve them at the Chokseongnu Pavilion on a cliff which overlooked Nam River.[7] Nongae was also called to entertain the victorious Japanese generals alongside other kisaengs. She led the general, Keyamura Rokusuke (毛谷村六助) to the cliff where she embraced him, held fast her fingers with rings that locked her around him and cast herself along with the general into the river, killing them both.[8] It is said that she sacrificed herself not only as a revenge of her husband's murder but also as a patriotic commitment.[9] The rock from which she leapt has come to be known as Uiam (의암, 義巖), "the rock of righteousness."[10]
Memorial
Memorial service for Nongae seemed to have started in the late 19th century, of which evidence is based on the record named Gyobang Gayo written by local bureaucrat, Jeong Hyun Seok. It is said the festival called Uiam Byeolje took place every June to celebrate her soul.[11] Until now, there is a shrine to the memory of Nongae near Chokseongnu, in central Jinju.[12] Around fortress, Nongae festival has been celebrating to cherish her patriotic spirit since 2002 every May.[10]
The portrait of Nongae painted by Kim Eun-ho had been kept in Jinju fortress, whereas his drawing was forcibly removed by a local civil group, arguing that Painter Kim was one of the renowned pro-Japanese painter during colonial period.[13] Followed by regional government's support, newly painted drawing was adopted in 2008.[14]
See also
References
- ↑ Birth year of her is doubtful: some references indicate it would be around 1574.
- ↑ Kim, Jinwoo (2014). 한국인 성씨의 역사. 춘추필법. pp. 1622 .
- ↑ Korean culture content
- 1 2 Nongae Shrine
- 1 2 Elaine H., Kim; Chungmoo Choi (1998). Dangerous Women: Gender and Korean Nationalism. Psychology Press, 1998. p. 172. ISBN 0415915066.
- ↑ Hyejae, Jang; Lee, Seonyoung (2014). 기녀의 순정 논개("Nongae, the heart of kisaeng"). ebookshub. pp. 115 . ISBN 9791155191378.
- ↑ Yongyi, Pae (2008). Women in Korean History (한국 역사 속의 여성들). Ewha Womans University Press, 2009. pp. 115 . ISBN 897300784X.
- ↑ Hongsuk, Oh (2005). Traditional Korean Villages 25권/The spirit of Korean cultural roots Traditional Korean Villages. Ewha Womans University Press, 2009. pp. 123 . ISBN 897300784X. line feed character in
|title=at position 28 (help) - ↑ Mount Jirisan area reveals rich heritage and culture Korea Herald, 2014-05-23
- 1 2 Jinju Nongae festival
- ↑ 진주 논개제와 함께하는 진주 봄 축제(Jinju Nongae festival together with Spring festival) Newsis, 2013-05-18
- ↑ The old name of Jinju fortress is Chokseok fortress, while Chokseongnu is a pavilion located inside the fortress.
- ↑ "친일파가 그렸다" 논개영정 뜯어내 Chosun Ilbo, 2005-05-11
- ↑ '논개 표준영정' 만들어졌다 Gyeongsang Provincial newspaper, 2008-02-10