WORLD SIJO POETRY DAY

Streaming Video will begin February 7, 2025 at 8 PM (USA Central Standard Time)

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February 7th is The World Sijo Poetry Day

Sijo, a concise and profound poetic form from Korea, has a rich history spanning nearly 1,000 years. February 7, celebrated as World Sijo Poetry Day, honors this unique art form.

The goal of World Sijo Poetry Day is to promote global awareness of sijo poetry and highlight its cultural significance. This annual celebration will feature diverse programs and activities held around the world.

World Sijo Poetry Day Proclamation Streaming Event


Video streaming will begin February 7, 2025 at 8 PM

 

Inaugural Year Celebration - Streaming
Friday, February 7, 2025 at 8 PM (CST)
YouTube.com/@SejongCulturalSociety

Events: We invite everyone to participate in activities such as:

  • Writing or reciting sijo poems
  • Recording and sharing sijo readings
  • Sending a “Sijo Challenge” by sharing your sijo reading video with 5–10 friends and encouraging them to do the same
  • Hosting group events for sijo writing or reading
  • Curating a sijo and art exhibition
  • Displaying sijo in offices, classrooms, or community spaces
  • Teaching friends and family how to write sijo

Let’s celebrate sijo and spark conversations about this timeless poetic tradition. Poetry sharpens the mind, and with its perfect balance of simplicity and depth, sijo has the power to inspire and enrich us all.

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2025 Virtual Sijo Reading Event

For the inaugural celebration of World Sijo Poetry Day, we are organizing a Virtual Sijo Reading Event on February 7, 2025.
We plan to invite sijo poets from around the world, including past winners of our sijo competitions, educators who teach sijo, and participants from our previous Sijo Workshops.
This event aims to foster a global exchange of creativity, with participants from six continents sharing their unique perspectives and passion for sijo poetry.

Background

February 7th marks the memorial day of U Tak (1262–1342) (우탁), a prominent sijo poet of the Goryeo era, whose work Lamenting Old Age (Tan-ro-ga, 탄로가) is the oldest known sijo in written literature. In recognition of Master U Tak's profound literary and academic contributions, as well as his unwavering spirit of integrity, we commemorate the anniversary of his passing as World Sijo Day. His enduring legacy is celebrated annually with a ceremony at Yeok-dong Seo Won, located on the Yeungnam University campus in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, Korea.

Join us for a Virtual Sijo Reading on the inaugural World Sijo Poetry Day on February 7, 2025, and help bring greater recognition to this timeless poetic tradition.

Sijo by U Tak (우탁)

탄로가(嘆老歌)-1

한 손에 막대 잡고 또 한 손에 가시 쥐고
늙는 길 가시로 막고 오는 백발 막대로 치렸더니
백발이 제 먼저 알고 지름길로 오더라

  Lamenting Old Age - 1
Holding a staff in one hand, grabbing thorns in the other,
Tried to block aging’s path with thorn, and strike away approaching white hair,
But white hair, too clever, arrived already through shortcut.

탄로가(嘆老歌)-2

춘산(春山)에 눈 녹인 바람 건듯 불고 간듸업네
저근듯 비러다가 뿌리과저 머리우희
귀밋헤 해묵은 서리를 불녀볼까 하노라

  Lamenting Old Age -2
The spring breeze melted snow on the hills, then quickly disappeared.
I wish I could borrow it briefly to blow over my hair
and melt away the aging frost forming now about my ears.

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About U-Tak ( 1262-1342) (우탁)

In 1278 (the 4th year of King Chungnyeol's reign), U-Tak  (우탁) achieved the title of Hyang-Gong Jinsa (a local scholar who passed the provincial examination) and later succeeded in the national examination, earning the position of Yeonghae Sa-rok (record-keeper of Yeonghae). During this time, a shrine known as Palryeong (Eight Bells Shrine) existed in Yeonghae. The local people fervently worshiped the Palryeong deity, believing in its spiritual power and frequently performing rituals and offering goods, which caused widespread harm. Declaring the deity a demon, he boldly abolished the shrine.

In 1308 (the first year of King Chungseon’s reign), he was appointed Gamchal Gyu-jeong (Inspector-General). When King Chungseon engaged in an inappropriate relationship with his father’s concubine, Lady Sukchangwon, he entered the palace dressed in plain white clothes, carrying an axe and a straw mat, to deliver a firm and resolute protest. Afterward, he returned to his hometown to focus on scholarship. However, recognizing his unwavering loyalty and integrity, King Chungsuk repeatedly summoned him back to public service. He eventually returned to serve as Seonggyun Jwaeju (Director of the Royal Confucian Academy) before retiring from official life.

After his retirement, he secluded himself in Yea-an (modern-day Ye-an), dedicating his life to educating the younger generation. During this period, Neo-Confucianism, particularly Cheng-Zhu studies (Zhu Xi's interpretation of Confucianism), was being introduced from the Yuan Dynasty. He studied these concepts deeply and shared his knowledge with his students. When Cheng Zhu's Commentary (Cheng Chuan), an annotation of the Book of Changes (I Ching), was first introduced, it was largely misunderstood. He immersed himself in his study for a month of focused research, mastering its principles before teaching them to his students.

Renowned for his expertise in the classics and histories, his profound knowledge of the I Ching earned him high praise. The Goryeosa (History of Goryeo) recorded: “He had deep knowledge of divination and never erred in interpreting omens.” In addition to his scholarly work, two sijo poems and several other poetic compositions attributed to him have been preserved. During the Joseon Dynasty, Yi Hwang (李滉) initiated the establishment of Yeokdong Seowon (역동서원) in Ye-an in 1570 (the 3rd year of King Seonjo's reign) to honor his legacy. Although it was dismantled in 1871 (the 8th year of King Gojong's reign), it was later restored in 1966. Another academy, Gugye Seowon (구계서원), was relocated to the campus of Yeungnam University. His posthumous title is Munhui (문희).

Source: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (The Academy of Korean Studies, authored by Geun-duk Choi).

 

References

  • Goryeosa (고려사)
  • Goryeosajeolyo (고려사절요)
  • Hwahae Sajeon (화해사전)
  • Dongguk Yusa (동국유사)
  • Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (신증동국여지승람)
  • Yangchonjip (양촌집)
  • Hucheonjip (후천집)
  • “A Study on the Thought of Yeokdong U Tak” (Oh Seok-won, Andong Munhwa 5, 1984)
  • “The Scholarship and Character of Yeokdong U Tak” (Lee Wan-jae, Andong Munhwa 3, 1973)

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Sijo

WHAT IS SIJO

The sijo (Korean 시조, pronounced SHEE-jo) is a traditional three-line Korean poetic form that often explores themes such as cosmology, metaphysics, or pastoral life. Sijo are characterized by both thematic depth and a structured syllabic pattern, and their inherently lyrical nature reflects their origins as songs. Each sijo consists of three lines, each containing 14–16 syllables, for a total of 44–46 syllables. Each line is further divided into four distinct syllable groupings that should flow smoothly while maintaining their individual structure. When written in English, sijo are often presented in six lines, with each line representing two syllable groupings instead of four. While some flexibility is allowed in the syllable count for each grouping, it is recommended that the total syllable count for each line remains consistent. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that the third line begins with a three-syllable grouping, preserving the traditional structure and lyrical quality.

Structure of Sijo


  • 1. First Line (Introduction): Typically grouped as 3-4-4-4, this line introduces the theme or situation of the poem.
  • 2. Second Line (Development): Also grouped as 3-4-4-4, it elaborates on the theme or situation introduced in the first line.
  • 3. Third Line (Counter-theme and Conclusion): Divided into two sections:
    • The first section, called the "counter-theme" or "twist," is grouped as 3-5 and provides a surprising shift in meaning, sound, or tone.
    • The second section, the conclusion, is grouped as 4-3 and ties the poem together.

Flexibility in Syllable Count

When writing sijo in English, adjustments can be made to syllable groupings as long as the total syllable count for each line remains consistent. However, adhering to the recommended structure, especially beginning the third line with a three-syllable grouping, enhances the integrity and lyrical quality of the poem. This combination of strict structure and creative freedom gives sijo its unique and enduring appeal.

Example: excerpt from "Song of my five friends"
Yun Seondo (1587-1671)
(Original Sijo in Korean)

내벗이 몇이나 하니 수석과 송죽이라 ( 3-5-3-4 =15)
동산에 달 오르니 긔 더욱 반갑고야 (3-4-3-4 =14)
두어라 이 다섯밖에 또 더하여 무엇하리 (3-5-4-4 =16)

( English translation)
You ask how many friends I have? Water and stone, bamboo and pine. (2-6-4-4=16)
The moon rising over the eastern hill is a joyful comrade. (2-4-4-6=16)
Besides these five companions, what other pleasure should I ask? (2-5, 5-3=15)

source: Sejong Cultural Society website. (https://www.sejongculturalsociety.org/writing/current/resources/sijo_guide.php)

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Sijo References and Links

Links

Books

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Sijo - Video Recordings

Video Recordings of Sijo Lectures


"YouTube.com/@SejongCulturalSociety

Lectures: Professor David McCann
   Part 1: form and structure (9:21)
   Part 2: history (5:32)
   Part 3: sample analysis of sijo (13:33)

Lectures: Professor Mark Peterson
   Lecture 1: Rhythm of sijo and classic masterpieces (9:55)
   Lecture 2: Correcting sijo (12:11)
   Lecture 3: Teaching sijo through mimicry (4:30)
   Lecture 4: Creating sijo from other texts (6:35)
   Lecture 5: Sijo and haiku (5:35)

Video Recording of Sijo Classes


Video Recordings of High School Sijo Classes

   1. Ms Elizabeth Jorgensen and Ms Heidi Hamilton (Arrowhead Union High School, Hartland, WI)
         Day 1 of 2 (45:08)
         Day 2 of 2 (24:23)

   2. Mr Chuck Newell (Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga, TN)
         Day 1 of 2 (42:35)
         Day 2 of 2 (33:12)

   3. Ms Tracy Kaminer (Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal, VA) (44:19)

   4. Ms. Deb Holland (D'Evelyn Jr/Sr High School, Denver, CO) (40:09)

Video Recordings of Sijo Class for Elementary School Students
   By Ms. Elizabeth Jorgensen
     Part 1: What is Sijo? (12:18)
     Part 2: Let's Read Sijo (9:42)
     Part 3: Write Your Sijo (15:14)
     Part 4: Share Your Sijo (22:22)

 

Video Recording of Sijo and Music Concerts 



  Sijo Poetry and Music at Rush Hour Concerts
  July 30, 2019 - Presented by the International Music Foundation

 

Video Recording of Sijo and Arts  



  Student Art Inspired by Sijo
  Arrowhead Union High School AP Studio Art Class, Hartland, Wisconsin

 

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