Путь аромата. Ароматическая культура Кореи

Elena Vojtishek, Anna Shmakova

THE PATH OF THE AROMA: Incense Culture in East Asia (Korea)

Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences,

Москва, 2025, 220 p.

The book examines the history of how incense culture developed throughout the Korean Peninsula from ancient times to the early 21st century (including but not limited to, types of incense and aromatic substances, tools and censers, Korean religious, game and fortune-telling practices, traditional art) by conducting extensive research of Korean written and material sources. The practical aspects of using incense are presented through the prism of ritual and everyday behaviour of the inhabitants of the Korean Peninsula. Art history and cultural aspects of Korean incense culture are considered in the context of the activities of medieval intellectual munin- scholars, maritime contacts in the region in the 13th‑14th centuries, as well as through the analysis of works of traditional painting, traditional and Buddhist art. Particular attention is paid to the medical and health uses of incense, and up-to-date information is given regarding modern regional centres for the study and popularization of incense culture.
The monograph is coupled with illustrative material reflecting the results of the authors’ field research on the Korean Peninsula over the past 15 years. The book will be of most interest to orientalists, specialists in the field of cultural anthropology, ethnology, literature, art history and cultural history, as well as to all those who are interested in oriental spiritual practices.

Editor’s Foreword ........................................................................................................................5
한국향문화연구의 새로운 시발점
(Foreword by Bae Kidong, Honorary Professor of Hanyang University,
Director of the Institute of East Asian Archaeology, Republic of Korea)............................9
Introduction .................................................................................................................13
Chapter 1. Key Stages and Features
as Incense Culture Developed in Korea.......................................................................17
1.1. Origin and Formation: The Period of the Three Kingdoms
and Unified Silla (I BC – X AD)..............................................................................................18
1.2. Reaching Maturity: The Goryeo Period (918–1392)....................................................... 21
1.3. Rise and Popularization: The Joseon Period (1392–1910) ..............................................24
1.4. From Decline to Revival: Modern and Contemporary Times
(early 20th century – present day) ..........................................................................................27
Chapter 2. Written and Cultural Sources
about Incense Culture in Korea ..................................................................................30
2.1. Written Sources of the Goryeo Period (918–1392)
and Incense Culture .................................................................................................................. 31
2.2. Written Sources of the Joseon Period (1392–1910)
and Incense Culture ..................................................................................................................41
2.3. Written and Cultural Sources of Buddhist Tradition
in Korean Incense Culture ...................................................................................................... 49
Chapter 3. Techniques and Rituals
in Korean Incense Culture ..........................................................................................56
3.1. Types of Incense and Aromatic Raw Materials...............................................................57
3.2. Types of Censers.................................................................................................................63
Censer Typology ...........................................................................................................63
Incense Seals and Stamps............................................................................................ 68
«Backflow Censers» ......................................................................................................73
3.3. The Baekje Censer as a National Cultural Symbol.........................................................75
Baekje Censer Features.................................................................................................77
Symbolism of Images Depicted on the Lid................................................................79
Symbolism of Images Depicted on the Bowl.............................................................83
3.4. Korean Religious and Divinatory Practices with Incense.............................................87
Maehyang «Incense Burial» Ritual..............................................................................87
Korean Fortune Telling Game Yunnori....................................................................103
Chapter 4. Incense, Culture and People ....................................................................123
4.1. Munin «People of Culture» and Incense........................................................................124
4.2. Incense Culture and Decorative and Applied Arts.......................................................131
Goryeo Period Metal Censers...................................................................................132
Chaekkori Art of the Late Joseon Period..................................................................136
4.3. Relics from the Sunken Ship Sinanseon
and Medieval Maritime Contacts in East Asia ....................................................................146
Relics from the Sunken Merchant Ship Sinanseon
and Maritime Contacts in the Region......................................................................146
Naval campaigns of the 13th-14th centuries in the region:
a historical and artistic analysis based on materials
of underwater archaeology ........................................................................................160
4.4. Medical and General Wellbeing Aspects of Incense Use............................................168
Methods of diagnosis and treatment
through fumigation and moxibustion......................................................................168
Scented headboards in traditional healing practices of Korea..............................175
Types of raw materials for scented headboards......................................................177
4.5. Modern Regional Centres for Research
and Popularization of Incense Culture in the Republic of Korea......................................185
Conclusion..................................................................................................................193
Sources and References...........................................................................................................199
Annotation .............................................................................................................................. 208
Summary ................................................................................................................................. 208
Acknowledgements................................................................................................................. 215
Contents..........................................................................................................................................218