The book of Korean poetry

"Korea s history is divided into four periods: the Three Kingdoms of Koguryo (37 bc ad 668), Shilla (57 bc ad 668), and Paekche (18 bc ad 660); Unified Shilla (668 935); Koryo (935 1392); and Choson (1392 1910). Kevin O Rourke s The Book of Korean Poetry traces Korean poetry from the pre-Shilla era to the end of Korea s golden poetry period in the Koryo dynasty. There are two poetry traditions in Korea: hanshi (poems by Korean poets in Chinese characters) and vernacular poems, which are invariably songs. Hanshi is a poetry to be read and contemplated; the vernacular is a poetry to be sung and heard. Hanshi was aimed at personal cultivation, vernacular poetry primarily at entertainment. Hanshi was a much more private discipline; vernacular poetry was composed for the most part against a convivial background of wine, music, and dance. In this comprehensive treatment of the poetry of Shilla and Koryo, O Rourke divides one hundred fifty poems into five sections: Early Songs, Shilla hanshi, Shilla hyangga, Koryo kayo, and Koryo hanshi and shijo. Only a few pre-Shilla poems are extant; O Rourke features all five. All fourteen extant Shilla hyangga are included. Seventeen major Koryo kayo