Jang Gye-hyang
| Jang Gye-hyang | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
Korean: 張 桂香 24 November 1598 Andong, Gyeongsang Province, Korea |
| Died | 7 July 1680 (aged 81) Seokbochon, Yeongyang County, Gyeongsang Province, Korea |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Other names | Chang Kye-hyang, Chŏngbuin Andong Chang Ssi, Chŏngbuin Chang Ssi, Korean: 정부인 안동 장씨 |
| Known for | one of the first cookbooks written by a woman in Korea, first cookbook using the Korean alphabet |
| Notable work |
Eumsik Dimibang (Korean: 음식디미방) |
Jang Gye-hyang (Korean: 장계향, Chinese: 張桂香, 1598-1680) was a Korean noblewoman who studied the Hangul calligraphy and wrote poetry in her youth. She was also a painter and philanthropist of the Joseon era, also known as the Chosŏn era. She wrote one of the first cookbooks in Korea penned by a woman, which was also written in the Korean alphabet. The text in which it was written is significant, as the official script at that time was Chinese. It is also significant as the book uniquely presents a means of preparing food, expanding the study of food from its medicinal properties to actual preparation.
Jang Gye-hyang was born on 24 November 1598 in Andong, Gyeongsang Province, Korea as the only daughter of Jang Heung-Hyo (aka Chang Jangheung-hyo Korean: 경당 장흥효) and Andong Kwon (Korean: 안동권씨). Jang's father was a well-known Neo-Confucian scholar, who taught many students in his home. Besides listening to their studies, Jang would snoop in her father's library and study books, writing and philosophy. During the Joseon era, sometimes known as the Chosŏn era, education of women emerged, though it was by far still a male dominated domain and restricted mainly to the upper classes. Typically in the period, women studied Confucian philosophy and morality, but pursuit of education for women was not concerned with teaching practical skills. By the time she was ten, she had mastered writing and by thirteen was writing poetry. Some of her early works included "Ode to the Saint", "Sound of Rain" and "Crane White Hair", all of which showed a mature vision of life and impressed her father. During this time, she also painted works and created embroideries, though few survive. When she was 19, Jang married Yi Si-myeong, as his second wife, after being introduced to him by her father.
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