An Iconographic study on the Portraits of Samyeong Yujeong

Abstract

This thesis is a study on the lconic features and changing process of portraits of Samyeong Yujeong in the late Joseon Dynasty. Samyeong Yujeong is the best disciple of Cheonghe Huejeong, during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, he participated in various activities. He is a loyalist in Joseon royal family and a representative of Buddhist society in the late Joseon, and has received positive reviews from future generations. In the early 18th century, Joseon royal family supported Taeheo Nambung to rebuild Miryang Pyochoongsa shrine, a Confucian shrine given its name by the king and the place for Confucian rite to enshrine Yujeong, and distributed Shin, Yu-han’s publication 『Bunchungseonanrok』 to various places. In Miryang Pyochoongsa shrine, a portrait necessary for Yujeong’s Confucian rites was painted, which served as an opportunity for the explosive creation of Yujeong’s portraits in various temples in later generations.</br>The portraits of Samyeong Yujeong were depicted in various forms based on the records that he grew beards and moustaches In the early days, various attempts were made, such as being described as practitioner with the beards and moustaches influenced by traditional Nahando, or appearing as monk general through the beards and moustaches of heavenly kings or ten kings of hell, and wrinkles between the eyes. in the mid-term, the method of describing the beards and moustaches like heavenly kings or ten kings of hell became the mainstream, and actively emphasized the appearance of the monk general Yujeong, such as recording or exaggerating Yujeong’s position at that time in painting inscriptions. this trend continued in the late 19th century, but after the 20th century, the beards and moustaches similar to folk beliefs such as Guan-Yu or mountain gods. this aspect expressed Yujeong like a god along with various elements of folk painting, and extremely exaggerated painting inscriptions influenced by the perception of people in late Joseon Dynasty.