[KS] "Ch'ong-do" on banners of a Korean embassy to Japan

[Kirk Larsen]

Dear list,

The "Edo" exhibit at the National Art Gallery in Washington D.C., includes
a painting of the 1748 visit of a Korean embassy to Japan. At the head of
the Korean entourage is a large banner emblazoned with the figure of a
dragon. There is also a large drum with a Taeguk symbol on the side.
Behind these two items are two vertical green banners with the characters
"Chong-do" on them. The "Chong" character is "malkul chong" which has the
meaning (among others) of "clear." It is also the character used in the
"Qing" (Ching) Dynasty. The "do" character is the one that signifies road,
way, path etc. Any ideas why a Korean embassy would be carrying banners
with these characters on them?

The painting, by one Hanegawai Toei.  can also be found in the catalog of
the Edo exhibit on page 297.

Just curious,

Kirk W. Larsen




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