ebooks Unifying Hinduism: Philosophy and Identity in Indian Intellectual History (South Asia Across the Disciplines) by Andrew Nicholson in History

Description

Kang Hang was a Korean scholar-official taken prisoner in 1597 by an invading Japanese army during the Imjin War of 1592–1598. While in captivity in Japan; Kang recorded his thoughts on human civilization; war; and the enemy's culture and society; acting in effect as a spy for his king. Arranged and printed in the seventeenth century as Kanyangnok; or The Record of a Shepherd; Kang's writings were extremely valuable to his government; offering new perspective on a society few Koreans had encountered in 150 years and new information on Japanese politics; culture; and military organization.In this complete; annotated translation of Kanyangnok; Kang ruminates on human behavior and the nature of loyalty during a time of war. A neo-Confucianist with a deep knowledge of Chinese philosophy and history; Kang drew a distinct line between the Confucian values of his world; which distinguished self; family; king; and country; and a foreign culture that practiced invasion and capture; and; in his view; was largely incapable of civilization. Relating the experiences of a former official who played an exceptional role in wartime and the rare voice of a Korean speaking plainly and insightfully on war and captivity; this volume enables a deeper appreciation of the phenomenon of war at home and abroad.