Sadae Explained

Sadae
Hangul:사대
Hanja:事大
Rr:sadae
Mr:sadae

is a Korean term which is used in pre-modern contexts.[1] is a Confucian concept, based on filial piety, that describes a reciprocal hierarchical relationship between a senior and a junior, such as a tributary relationship. The term is used as a descriptive label for bilateral foreign relations between Imperial China and Joseon dynasty Korea. Korea's toward China was first employed by Silla in the 7th century, but it was not fully implemented until the Confucianization of Korea in the early Joseon dynasty. Korea's toward China from the 7th century to the 13th century was only nominal.

describes a foreign policy characterized by the various ways a small country acknowledges the strength of a greater power like that of China. is made manifest in the actions of the weaker state as it conveys goodwill and respect through its envoys.

The utility of the concept in Korea was recognized from the period of Three Kingdoms of Korea to 1895; and it is demonstrated in the relationship of mid-Joseon Korea towards the Ming Dynasty of China.[2] The Joseon Dynasty made every effort to maintain a friendly relationship with Beijing for reasons having to do with realpolitik and with an idealized Confucian worldview. construes China as the center of a Confucian moral universe.[3]

As a foundation of diplomacy, the Joseon kingdom presumed that the Korean state was positioned within a Sinocentristic milieu. The Joseon foreign policy was organized around maintaining stable Joseon-Chinese relations in the period from 1392 through 1895. The concept of is contrasted with limited trade relationships or kyorin diplomacy (교린정책; lit. "neighborly relations") which marked Joseon-Japanese relations in this period.[4]

The kingdom of Joseon accepted its place in a Sinocentristic world order. The Joseon foreign policy was organized around maintaining stable Joseon–Chinese relations in the period from 1392 through 1910. It contrasts with limited trade relationships or kyorin diplomacy in regard to Joseon-Japanese relations in this period.

Etymology

The historical term is derived from the Chinese shì dà (Chinese: 事大; Korean) as used by the philosopher Mencius. literally means "dealing with the great" or "serving the great"[5] and can be interpreted as "Loving and admiring the great and powerful".[6] The original phrase "Chinese: 以小事大" in the Book of Mencius means "service to the great by the small" or "a small kingdom accommodates a large":

The neutral term is distinguished from the pejorative sadaejuui, which was invented by early 20th century Korean nationalists.[7] Juui means "ideology" and it is conventionally translated as "-ism."[8]

Sadaejuui: 20th-century reinterpretation

Sadaejuui
Hangul:사대주의
Hanja:事大主義
Rr:sadaejuui
Mr:sadaejuŭi

Sadaejuui is a largely pejorative Korean term which evolved in the mid-20th century from the more widely used historical concept fo sadae.[1] The term "sadaejuui" was invented by early 20th century Korean nationalists.

Sadaejuui conflates an attitude of subservience with the political realism which accompanies the prudent recognition of greater power.[1]

The concept of was rejected in the writings of polemicist Shin Chaeho and other Korean nationalists in the 20th century.[9] Shin is known for having argued that the or sadaejuui inherent in Confucian historiography served effectively functioned in two ways:

His revisionist writings sought to deny the relevance of as an important element of Korean history.[11]

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Armstrong, Charles K. (2007).
  2. 구도영 (Koo Do-young). 중종대(中宗代) 사대인식(事大認識)의 변화 - 대례의(大禮議)에 대한 별행(別行) 파견 논의를 중심으로 ("Changes regarding ‘Perception of Sadae’(事大認識) that became apparent during the reign of King Jungjong - Examination of Discussions over the issue of dispatching a special envoy(別行) about the Grand ceremony (大禮議) in Ming (明) dynasty’s court"),
  3. Mansourov, Alexandre Y. "Will Flowers Bloom without Fragrance? Korean-Chinese Relations," Harvard Asia Quarterly (Spring 2009).
  4. Kang, Etsuko H. (1997). Diplomacy and Ideology in Japanese-Korean Relations: from the Fifteenth to the Eighteenth Century, p. 49.
  5. Pratt, Keith L. et al. (1999). Korea: a historical and cultural dictionary, pp. 384, 394.
  6. Alford, C. Fred. (1999).
  7. Mitchell, Anthony. "Happier Economy Better Than Larger Economy," Korea Times (Seoul). October 12, 2008.
  8. Duchatel, Mathieu. Nationalisme et sentiment nationaliste en Corée (Nationalism and Nationalist Sentiment in Korea). IEP Paris, DEAA comparative des Aires Politiques, p. 4 n1.
  9. Robinson, Michael. (1984) "National Identity and the Thought of Shin Ch'ae-ho: Sadaejuüi and Chuch'e in History and Politics," Journal of Korean Studies, Vol. 5, pp. 121–142.
  10. Robinson, p. 129.
  11. Robinson, pp. 131-132.