Yi Ye
Encyclopedia
Yi Ye was a military-official of the Joseon Dynasty
Korea
in 15th century.
He was also diplomat
and ambassador
, representing Joseon
interests in two diplomatic missions to the Ashikaga shogunate
(Muromachi bafuku) in Japan.
Yi Ye was the chief envoy or ambassador in the 1432 delegation; and he was the vice envoy in 1423. A diplomatic mission conventionally consisted of three envoys—the main envoy, the vice-envoy, and a document official. Also included were one or more official writers or recorders who created a detailed account of the mission.
was led by Pak Hǔi-chung and the vice-envoy was Yi Ye. The envoys of the Joseon court traveled to Kyoto in response to a message sent by the Japanese shogun; and also, the delegation was charged with conveying an offer to send a copy of a rare Buddhist text.
The Japanese hosts may have construed these mission as tending to confirm a Japanocentric world order. In each instance, the Joseon delegations were more narrowly focused in negotiating protocols for Joseon-Japan diplomatic relations.
In the West, early published accounts of the Joseon kingdom are not extensive, but they are found in Sangoku Tsūran Zusetsu (published in Paris in 1832), and in Nihon ōdai ichiran (published in Paris in 1834). Joseon foreign relations and diplomacy are explicitly referenced in the 1834 work.
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
in 15th century.
He was also diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
, representing Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
interests in two diplomatic missions to the Ashikaga shogunate
Ashikaga shogunate
The , also known as the , was a Japanese feudal military regime, ruled by the shoguns of the Ashikaga clan.This period is also known as the Muromachi period and gets its name from Muromachi Street of Kyoto where the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established his residence...
(Muromachi bafuku) in Japan.
Yi Ye was the chief envoy or ambassador in the 1432 delegation; and he was the vice envoy in 1423. A diplomatic mission conventionally consisted of three envoys—the main envoy, the vice-envoy, and a document official. Also included were one or more official writers or recorders who created a detailed account of the mission.
1423 mission to Japan
King Sejong dispatched a diplomatic mission to Japan in 1423. This embassy to court of Ashikaga YoshinoriAshikaga Yoshinori
was the 6th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1429 to 1441 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshinori was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.-Shogunal succession:...
was led by Pak Hǔi-chung and the vice-envoy was Yi Ye. The envoys of the Joseon court traveled to Kyoto in response to a message sent by the Japanese shogun; and also, the delegation was charged with conveying an offer to send a copy of a rare Buddhist text.
1432 mission to Japan
King Sejong sent a diplomatic mission in 1432; and its chief envoy was led this time by Yi Ye. As in his earlier visit to Kyoto, the delegation was charged with carrying the Joseon response to a message sent by the Japanese shogun.The Japanese hosts may have construed these mission as tending to confirm a Japanocentric world order. In each instance, the Joseon delegations were more narrowly focused in negotiating protocols for Joseon-Japan diplomatic relations.
Recognition in the West
Pak Tong-chi's historical significance was confirmed when his 1423 mission was specifically mentioned in a widely-distributed history published by the Oriental Translation Fund in 1834.In the West, early published accounts of the Joseon kingdom are not extensive, but they are found in Sangoku Tsūran Zusetsu (published in Paris in 1832), and in Nihon ōdai ichiran (published in Paris in 1834). Joseon foreign relations and diplomacy are explicitly referenced in the 1834 work.