Boundless Winds of Empire: Rhetoric and Ritual in Early Choson Diplomacy with Ming China

Sixiang Wang's book explores how the Chosŏn dynasty of Korea maintained peaceful and stable relations with neighboring Ming China for over two hundred years by strategically deploying cultural practices, values, and narratives to carve out a place for Korea within the Ming imperial order. It demonstrates how Koreas rulers and diplomats inserted Chosŏn into the Ming Empires legitimating strategies and established Korea as a stakeholder in a shared imperial tradition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The Chosŏn dynasty of Korea, established in 1392, experienced a remarkable period of over two hundred years of peaceful and stable relations with neighboring Ming China, despite the significant disparity in size, population, and power between the two nations. This prolonged period of tranquility was not a foregone conclusion, as it was the result of strategic cultural practices, values, and narratives deployed by Chosŏn political actors. In his book, Sixiang Wang delves into the intricate tapestry of Chosŏn's diplomatic engagement with China, exploring how the dynasty strategically employed cultural practices, values, and narratives to carve out a place for Korea within the Ming imperial order.

Boundless Winds of Empire: A Cultural History of Diplomacy takes readers on a journey through the rhetorical and ritual exchanges between Chosŏn and China. The dynasty drew upon classical Chinese paradigms of statecraft, political legitimacy, and cultural achievement, while also paying regular tribute to the Ming court, where its envoys composed paeans to Ming imperial glory. Wang argues that these acts were not mere affirmations of Ming domination but rather a sophisticated strategy of diplomatic and cultural negotiation. He demonstrates how Koreas rulers and diplomats strategically inserted Chosŏn into the Ming Empires legitimating strategies, establishing Korea as a stakeholder in a shared imperial tradition.

Through the Korean perspective, Boundless Winds of Empire emphasizes Korean agency in the making of East Asian international relations. The book challenges the traditional narrative that portrays China as the sole dominant power in the region and highlights the contributions of other nations, such as Korea, in shaping the complex dynamics of the East Asian continent. By examining the cultural practices, values, and narratives deployed by Chosŏn, Wang sheds light on the intricate web of interactions and negotiations that shaped Sino-Korean relations during this critical period.

In conclusion, Boundless Winds of Empire is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the history of Sino-Korean relations. By delving into the cultural practices, values, and narratives deployed by Chosŏn political actors, Wang provides a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped this critical period. The book challenges traditional narratives and emphasizes Korean agency in the making of East Asian international relations, contributing to our understanding of the rich and complex history of the region.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231205467