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Introduce
Numerous topics related to Korean culture and art are mentioned in middle and high school national history textbooks, but most of them are briefly described by era, making it difficult to understand their concepts, transition processes, and characteristics.
<Culture & Art Stories from Korean History> produces and provides video materials based on expert commentary on the flow, change process, characteristics and characteristics of each major topic in the field of culture and art in Korean history.
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Scenario

The image of tigers found in stories of old
In Joseon folk paintings, you would often see images of tigers smoking tobacco just like humans.
To say that tigers smoked goes to show just how deeply tobacco became instilled in Korean culture.
How did tobacco spread throughout the nation, and what kind of changes did it bring about?

Did everyone-Men and Women, Young and Old-Smoke Back Then?

When did the history of tobacco in Korea begin?
Tobacco, brought to Joseon from Japan in the early 17th century!
The Koreans called it dambago, taken from the Japanese word dabako, which is said to have been derived from the Portuguese word, tabaco.
Tobacco was called by several other names, such as namcho, which means “weed originating from the southern country (namjjok nara)”, namnyeongcho, meaning “mysterious weed from the southern country,” or yeoncho, meaning “weed that gives off smoke.”
You can sense people’s curiosity about this strange new cultural phenomenon by the various names it was given.

Tobacco is a weed that originates from Japan. Its leaves are 7 to 8 centimeters long. The taste is both bitter and spicy. - Veritable Records of King Injo, August 4, 1638 (Year 16 of King Injo)

The interest in tobacco was recorded in great detail in numerous books. In the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty (Joseon wangjo sillok), it was described as being a “bitter and spicy” weed.

It expunges phlegm and dampness in the lungs while also sobering you. - Yi Sugwang, Jibongyuseol [Collected Essays of Jibong Yi Sugwang]

Tobacco spread widely in the early days of its introduction to Joseon because it was regarded as a healthy weed. There were some people who called it “the world’s most wicked weed,” as they worried about its addictiveness. but the custom of offering tobacco to guests became deeply ingrained in everyday practices.
Tobacco was close behind tea and liquor in terms of consumable luxuries, so much so that it was called “smoking tea” (yeonda) or “smoking liquor” (yeonju) in that it could be substituted for either of those two items.

They take so much at present that the very children practice it from four or five years of age, and there are very few men or women among them that do not smoke.
- Hendrick Hamel, Hamel’s Journals(1668)

In the Joseon kingdom during the 17th century, one European named Hendrick Hamel who sojourned there was intrigued by the kingdom’s tobacco culture.
Tobacco was so popular that even children smoked it. Younger generations would smoke tobacco in front of their elders. It was not uncommon to see ladies or gisaeng smoking as well. Let’s take a closer look at those who revered tobacco.

King Jeonjo is regarded as the first among tobacco lovers. King Jeongjo had so much love and admiration for tobacco that he is quoted as saying his strength was due to tobacco alone.

Of all the plants out there, there is nothing more beneficial to our health than namnyeongcho [tobacco]. … The Jadaebu (子大夫) must testify to those benefits based on what you see and hear.
- King Jeongjo, Hongjaejeonseo [Collected Works of King Jeongjo], “Chaekmun,” “Namnyeongcho“ [Tobacco]

He talked about the usefulness of namnyeongcho during the gwageo state examination. He was also so interested in it that he ordered the Jadaebu (sort of court physicians) to present their opinions on the subject.

Tambago is new now
and perfect for those in exile.
As I peacefully inhale, its scent fills me.
As I silently exhale, it sways gently,
like a strand of thread.
- Jeong Yakyong, Yeoyudangjeonseo [Collected Works of Jeong Yakyong]

There is a poem by a scholar about smoking tobacco in his banishment. The writer, Jeong Yakyong, who also went by the pen name Dasan, describes a man in exile who praises tobacco as the most wonderful thing.

Strict regulations must be made to ensure that tobacco can only be grown in the mountains. - Jeong Yakyong, Dasansimunjip [Collected Writings and Poetry of Dasan]

As tobacco farming grew and the amount of farmland available for other crops diminished, researchers studied ways to continue farming tobacco without harming the agricultural industry.
Meanwhile, as tobacco grew more and more popular, the number of tobacco-related accidents grew as well.

During the reign of King Gwanghaegun, an 80-room building went up in flames in a tobacco-related fire.

Things are so rough that, despite begging and borrowing, very little food or money is to be gotten. Half the money that is given is spent on tobacco. - Seungjeongwon ilgi [Diary of the Royal Secretariat], January 3, 1712 (Year 37 of King Sukjong)

By the late 17th century, during the reign of King Sukjong, smoking had become a serious social problem, with people spending their money on tobacco instead of food.

First, the smell is so strong that it prevents the cleansing of the mind and body. The second thing I realize is that it is a waste of wealth. … People of all ages and walks of life rush to buy tobacco as soon as the sun begins to set. This is the third thing. - Yi Ik, Seonghosaseol [Miscellaneous Explanations of Seongho Yi Ik], “Manmulmun” [Myriad Things], “Namcho” [Tobacco]

The late-Joseon scholar Yi Ik argued that tobacco did more harm than good and emphasized the hazards of smoking.
Tobacco had reached all corners of Joseon society.
Despite its adverse health effects, tobacco’s attraction spread far and wide.

Were There Luxury Tobacco Brands in the Joseon Period?

The popularization of tobacco brought about many social changes, as it was considered very important in both trade and foreign relations.
There is a record from the 17th century of an ambassador from the Qing Dynasty being gifted a few types of tobacco, their official Joseon names being “jisamcho” and “gwejisamcho.”
With its introduction to weekly markets in the late Joseon Dynasty, the distribution of the tobacco as a commodity quickly took shape.

Plant tobacco in all areas with rich soil. If mixed with other plants, the crops will fail. - Veritable Records of King Jeongjo, November 30, 1798 (Year 22 of King Jeongjo)

By the end of the 18th century, the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty records that much of the country’s most fertile land had become tobacco fields. The cultivation of tobacco took off and spread throughout the country. With the cultivation of tobacco bringing in large amounts of money, some farmers soon became rich. Luxury varieties of tobacco also emerged.
High-quality tobacco leaves are dried thoroughly and then sliced thin to create full-bodied and fragrant tobacco. People soon began differentiating the quality of different tobaccos.

It is the tobacco of the East, jinancho, and samdeungcho, which has no rival in the world. - Yi Manyeong, “Namnyeongga” [Ode to Tobacco]

“Namnyeongga,” a poem written by the late-Joseon scholar Yi Manyeong. Tobacco from the regions of Jinan in Jeolla-do and Samdeung in Pyeongan-do were named the finest varieties of Korean tobacco. These areas were widely considered to be the best producers of tobacco for some 300 years.

Have you ever taken a look at genre paintings from the Joseon period and noticed that everyone from all walks of life, regardless of position, was depicted smoking tobacco?
In the late 18th century, the use of smoking devices grew increasingly popular and these varied by the user’s social status.

In this picture of a scholar receiving his long pipe from the hands of his servant, we can discern how the pipe had become a status symbol, used to flaunt one’s social position. Commoners primarily used a short bamboo pipe, while those of the upper class took to using long, higher quality pipes. From this, class hierarchies in pipe-smoking emerged.

“The commoner class used a pipe that was about two hand spans in length. This short pipe was called a gombangdae. The upper class used a pipe that ranged from 1 to 2 meters in length. The pricier ones contained gold and silver and were adorned with ornate patterns. The upper class frequently used these expensive smoking pipes.” Hwang Gijo, Training Assistant / National Intangible Cultural Property No. 65, Baekdongyeonjukjang

With the emergence of this class diversification with tobacco, pipe-smoking became an art form, combining both workmanship and artistry.
Tobacco became an important commodity in trade, helping to further develop commerce. It was a commodity that brought about many social changes.

[Epilogue]
Must-Know Facts on Culture and Art in Korean History

1. Tobacco, which was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon Dynasty, was a consumable luxury comparable to tea and liquor.
2. Tobacco was widely cultivated during the late Joseon period as a commodity.
3. Social hierarchies in pipe-smoking pipes emerged.