Musuri is a Korean term referring to female slaves in charge of odd chores in the court during the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty of Korea. Their main tasks were miscellaneous works such as drawing water from a well, making a fire in the fireplace or cleaning.[1][2]
Musuri | |
Hangul | 무수리 |
---|---|
Revised Romanization | Musuri |
McCune–Reischauer | Musuri |
Etymology
editEvery palace had wells, and drawing water and delivering it as needed were an important part of a tomusuri's duty. For this reason, musuri were also called susa (
The term musuri was originally used in the Mongol court, so it is assumed that the term came into use in the late Goryeo period. At first musuri travelled in and out of the court, but King Taejong changed the system to prevent their spreading court affairs. Since December 1411 in the lunar calendar, the musuri stayed at court all the time.[1][2]
Roles and class
editAs well as drawing water musuri were assigned all rough work, according to each office's character.
They were from the public, mostly married women, and entered the palace through a nain's recommendation. In a broad sense, musuri were part of the gungnyeo (court ladies), but they could be allowed to go out of the court, which differentiates them from the gungnyeo with a rank, who entered the place in their early age and had "gwallye" (
Attire
editMusuri wore a somber ensemble made with a blackish cotton with some red. They rolled up their hair into a cushion shape and wore a wide belt made of the same fabric as their clothes, with a tag (pae,
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d 무수리 (in Korean). Empas / Britannica.
- ^ a b c d e 무수리 (in Korean). Empas / EncyKorea.
- ^ http://kordic.empas.com/dicsearch/view.html?i=22578300 [dead link]
- ^ Haboush, JaHyun Kim (2001). The Confucian Kingship in Korea: Yŏngjo and the Politics of Sagacity. Columbia University Press. pp. 57–60. ISBN 0-231-06657-0.
- ^ 영조 (
英 祖 ) (in Korean). Empas / EncyKorea.