In 1592, the Japanese army attacked Korea and for 6 years the Korean people bravely fought for their independence. Jinjuseong Fortress, towering over the Namgang River, was a key stronghold in southern Korea. Since 1963, the fortress has been a Historical National Treasure No. 118.

The National Museum of Jinju, located on the territory of the fortress, boasts authentic treasures of Korean culture, such as painting, sculpture, graphics; The exposition of the museum will also present us the history of the defense of the fortress during the Imjin War.

By the way, let's talk about kisaeng.

If the word “sonsen”, known to the world in the Japanese transcription “sensei”, means literally “born to”, then “kisen” - see, the second syllable is the same? - should mean “born “ki”. What is "ki"?

The hieroglyph 妓 (ki) has 2 parts - “woman” and “support”. Kinyo (lit. “woman 妓”) or kisaeng (“born 妓”) are a special class of personally unfree women who belonged to the state, whose task was to entertain guests. Guests of the state, it turns out.

But this is a formal definition. To understand who kisaeng are, we will have to delve into the social relations and culture of Korea during the heyday of the kisaeng institution.

Why is this a fortress? One of the legendary heroines of the defense of the Jinju fortress was just kisaeng!

Korea, Between the Lines

You've seen Seoul? Great. Now discover the Korea you’ll fall in love with — morning mist in the mountains, the scent of pine near ancient temples, and the sea shimmering at sunset.