Research Paper : A Study on the Contemporary Hairstyle of

Son, Eun Ju; Yoo, Yoo Jung; Maeng, Yu Jin

Journal of the Korean Society of Cosmetology 2009;15(4):1192-1201.
Published online December 31, 2009.

고려(高麗)와 주변국가의 머리모양 연구

손은주, 유유정, 맹유진

Research Paper : A Study on the Contemporary Hairstyle of "Goryeo" and Neighboring Countries

Eun Ju Son, Yoo Jung Yoo, Yu Jin Maeng

Abstract

In Korean history, the era of Goryeo dynasty spans 5 centuries as long as that of Joseon dynasty, but the former has been still veiled in many aspects due to lack of historical materials handed down to this generation. International relations in the era of Goryeo dynasty are characterized by a chain of struggles with continental power. Particularly, Mongol`s invasion of Korean peninsula from the early 13th century was powerful enough to disturb the foundation of Goryeo`s society. Besides, many of Goryeo dynasty`s historical materials were lost due to Japanese pirates` frequent plunder in 15th century. That is why there are just a few channels of historical materials handed down from Goryeo dynasty. Goryeo dynasty was founded by the 1st King Geon Wang in AD918 and is also commonly recognized as the best blossom period of Korean Buddhism under the influence of Buddhism respect policy. Thus, historical traces of hairstyles popularized in the era of Goryeo dynasty can be found mostly in the Buddhist painting works of Goryeo dynasty. This study sought to find out possible correlations between evolution in Goryeo`s hairstyles and about 5 centuries of relations and exchanges with neighboring countries, as the culture of Goryeo dynasty succeeded to that of Silla dynasty. Conclusively, it is estimated that hairstyles of Goryeo dynasty could be not less gorgeous and diverse than those of Joseon dynasty.

Key Words: Goryeo, Hairstyle, Neighboring Countries