Tongsinsa : The Joseon dynasty's BTS

The Joseon Tongsinsa (Korean missions to Japan) is called BTS of the Joseon Dynasty. Let's find out why.

​After the Japanese invasion of Korea in late 15th(Imjin War 1592), which was started by Toyotomi Hideyoshi of Japan, Ieyasu Tokugawa destroyed the Toyotomi Hideyoshi family. Since then, Ieyasu Tokugawa has called on Joseon to resume diplomatic relations in order to be recognized for his legitimacy. Joseon refused at first, but finally responded to his persistent demands.

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Joseon later dispatched Joseon Tongsinsa (Korean missions to Japan) to Japan. The Joseon Tongsinsa had about 400 people. It is said that the entire area of Japan, where the Joseon tongsinsa passes, fluctuated and the trend changed. Everyone lined up to get calligraphic works and paintings from the Tongsinsa. There is a record that Tongsinsa couldn't sleep properly and even cried because their work was so hard.

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Meanwhile, ceramic artisans who moved from Joseon to Japan after the Japanese Invasion of Korea in the late 15th century(Imjin War) have made a tremendous development of pottery in Japan. In Japan, the Japanese Invasion of Korea is called the Pottery War. The ceramics they developed were exported to Europe, creating a huge sensation, and all European nobles were eager to have pottery.

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However, Joseon was not very interested in trade with western countries. On the contrary, they fought against Western countries by maintaining a policy of seclusion. For reference, the Western country where Joseon fought first was France, followed by the United States. French admiral Rose's invasion and U.S. Marines' invasion had been prevented in Ganghwa Island.

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Both Korea and Japan have registered records of tongsinsa as UNESCO World Records Heritage, and it was confirmed that it was registered as the World Records Heritage in October 2017.