Monument to the Qing Emperor in Korea: the Visible Embodiment of Imperial Policy

Abstract

The paper focuses on The Great Qing Emperor's Merit and Virtue Stele (大清皇帝功德碑) that was erected in Joseon state in 1639 after the 1637 peace agreement and recognition of Qing suzerainty. Stele is examined as a visible embodiment of the imperial policy in order to concretize its features and evaluate the representing component. The main source of the article is the translation from the Manchu text on the Stele first translated by A.M. Pozdneev and then published in 1891. The paper also uses the Chinese text of the inscription. As a result the features of the Qing policy towards Joseon visualized in the monument, perceived and broadcast within of sinocentrism are identified following. Vassalage acceptance is presented as a historically conditioned event: the military attack took place because Joseon had violated the alliance previously concluded with the Manchus. The relations established after 1637 did not imply annexation, influence on the government system. In actual fact, vassalage was a nominal act: the ruler returned to his country, and the people – to a peaceful life. Suzerainty recognition had both actual (social) and sacred legitimation of the van power: he admitted his guilt, and subsequently became a conductor of Heaven within his state. The Stele can be regarded as an official document was created in the “solid book” form (稳书) characteristic of China. This document monumentally embodied Korea's recognition of vassalage on the Qing dynasty and recorded the Joseon’s recognition the Manchu ruler as emperor of Celestial Empire.