A country where primitive and civilization coexist - Joseon seen by Siegfried Gente in 1901

 Gente previously viewed Joseon's fate as being eroded by Japan and Russia similar to Tibet, and pointed out that most foreigners who visit Joseon are doing watermelon-based tours. One of the most beautiful monarchies.No matter how much you decorate Seoul with the huge and powerful peaks of Mt. Bukak and Namsan, you will not be able to compare the charm and deep impression of the two cities (Teheran, Salzburg). Most of the houses in Seoul City Wall are about one compartment long with low roofs and walls. These straw-roofed thatched roofs - a little stronger and tougher, of course - blend together in grey and blue, making it hard to tell in the hazyness of color, giving the viewer the impression that many houses look like one and are very monotonous. What attracts tourists' attention is that the thatched roof of rehabilitation harmonizes with the ocher color found in the surrounding nature, forming a unique harmony with side dishes. In Joseon, building a house requires strict regulations.(hereinafter omitted) A view of Seoul without a temple dedicated to the gods.The buildings in this country are not only comparable to those in other Asian countries affected by Chinese architecture, but also show unusual techniques. The roof is in the form of a Gungja, which passes by dragging its tail, and is covered one by one, making it look like it pops out suddenly. This style can only be seen in Joseon and is unique in its craftsmanship, which deviates from the notion of such an architectural style measured at the general level of Asian architecture (based on Chinese architecture. In contrast to these words, it is said that Seoul's architectural culture is insignificant.It is no exaggeration to say that Joseon people have no faith in the faith of Joseon people. It does not seem to be tolerance for religion, but it does not give much weight to choosing a religion, perhaps because it is not interested in choosing a religion. Koreans already learn Confucian ideas from the bottom of their stomachs and live to fulfill them, but they also believe in shamanistic beliefs and Buddhism whenever necessary. Even the literati, who are full of Confucian ideas, visit Buddhist monks if there is a dead person in the house. As the humorous expression suggests, Joseon people have shamanistic beliefs in their stomachs, Buddhism in their hearts, and lead senseless religious lives without a certain direction. This Joseon people's world of faith provides a good opportunity for missionaries to do missionary work. However, Koreans do not give any donations or other support to the church, so they believe that the church building will soon become a ruin. A crowded city where tradition and new culture coexist, but the new and old go well together, Seoul was willing to accept the Western invention of "electricity" as a solution to the complex transportation problems in large cities. It is actually an innovation that Joseon was interested in modern technology and accepted it without hesitation far ahead of other Eastern capitals at the time. A few years before electricity technology came into the country, a simple traditional car was installed from Kabul, Afghanistan, to the king's summer palace, and the Nepalese king had already installed lights at the palace in the capital, Kadmandu, around 80. However, large cities such as Beijing, China, Tokyo, Bangkok and Shanghai have no electricity, telephones, or electricity facilities in the capital of Joseon, Seoul. Even after the trade agreement between the West and China has been signed, Europeans who claim to be civilized still have to travel by rickshaw, the traditional transportation method. How can you not be surprised to see the people of this quiet morning riding a train running as fast as the wind? At night, bright palace-shaped streetlights illuminate the roof of a house in Seoul reminiscent of an African house. The following description describes the shabbyness of the German legation and the excellence of the Joseon ondol (although I complained about heating the ondol in summer) and the use of ponies and kilns as transportation. And the story of the new army says soldiers in Seoul and Hamgyong Province in Gyeonggi Province shave their heads, but traditional hair is allowed in Pyeongan Province. I also described the encounter with King Gojong, but I describe him as a handsome, merciful, and kind king. It is also said that it is popular with women in Europe.