Michael J. Pettid Livres

Death and the beliefs surrounding it reveal much about the ideals and cultures of the living. While death marks the end of physical life, its mental and spiritual implications often persist, with the influence of the deceased sometimes surpassing their presence in life. This volume adopts a multidisciplinary approach to explore both historic and contemporary death-related practices in Korea. Contributors from Korea and the West utilize archaeology, history, literature, religion, and anthropology to discuss topics related to the body, disposal of remains, ancestor worship, and the afterlife. The initial chapters examine the treatment of the dying and the dead from the Greater Silla Kingdom to the mid-twentieth century, covering grave construction, cemeteries, and memorial monuments in the Koryŏ and twentieth century. Ancestral rites and worship, integral to Korean mortuary customs since premodern times, are also addressed. The text explores the need to appease the dead in both shamanic and Confucian contexts. Additionally, it delves into ghost stories and nonconformist narratives, highlighting conflicts between Buddhist thought and Neo-Confucian doctrine. The final chapter discusses how early Korean Catholics understood death and the afterlife. This work significantly contributes to the study of Korean society and East Asian mortuary practices, making it a valuable resource for scholars and students across various fields.

The spicy tang of kimchi, the richness of Korean barbecue, the hearty flavors of bibimbap: Korean cuisine is savored the world over for its diversity of ingredients and flavors. Michael Pettid offers here a lushly illustrated historical account of Korean food and its intricate relationship with the nation’s culture.Over the last twelve centuries, Korean food dishes and their complex preparations have evolved along with the larger cultural and political upheaval experienced by the nation. Pettid charts this historical development of the cuisine, exploring the ways that regional distinctions and historical transformations played out in the Korean diet—including the effects of wartime food shortages and preparation techniques. Underlying all these dishes are complicated philosophical and aesthetic considerations, and Pettid delves into their impact on everything from the rituals associated with group meals or drinks with friends to the strict rules governing combinations of dishes and ingredients according to temperature, texture, spices, color, and consistency.Featuring a batch of mouthwatering recipes and over a hundred vivid photographs of a striking array of dishes, Korean Cuisine is an incisive and engaging investigation into the relationship between Korean culture and food that will spice up the bookshelves of foodies and scholars alike.