Hunting and Fishing in Korea
A look at the historic hunting and fishing methods of Korea.
Location: North Korea; South Korea
Traditional Hunting in Korea
Most Korean people did not rely on hunting for survival after the arrival of agriculture. It was, however, a prestigious sport among the nobility, particularly under the Goguryeo dynasty. Goguryeo warriors prided themselves on their skill at mounted archery. They pursued tigers, bears, boar, deer, wolves, rabbits, pheasants, and squirrels. Murals of Goguryeo hunting scenes can still be seen on the walls of its royal tombs. Dangerous game were mostly left to the nobility. Peasants supplemented their diets with what they could catch.[1][2]
Fishing in Korean Culture
Fishing was a more common practice among Korean peasants. The majority fished in rivers and lakes. Saltwater fishing only emerged as a major economic activity during the Modern era. Inland people fished for eel, carp, catfish, dace, bass, perch, sweetfish, and more. Later, fleets of saltwater fishermen would haul porpoise, mackerel, herring, squid, yellowtail, anchovies, flounder, and octopus into markets.[1][3]
Gathered Plants and Animals in Korea
Marine plants and animals gathered from the shores of Korea were just as important. The Yellow Sea created tidal flats rich with life along the peninsula's western coast. Peasants collected seaweed, oysters, clams, shrimp, snails, anemones, and abalone, among other shellfish. The abundance of resources provided by the ocean ensured that coastal people enjoyed a diverse and nutritious diet. Those living along lakes and rivers also foraged for river clams, crabs, and snails. Today, shellfish and marine life are still common in Korean cuisine.[1][4]
Bibliography
Michael J. Pettid, Korean Cuisine: An Illustrated History (London: Reaktion Books, 2008), 21-23.
Michael J. Seth, A History of Korea: From Antiquity to the Present (Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2011), 36-41.
Sung-mo Chong, Yoon-jung Cho, and Eun-young Min, Markets: Traditional Korean Society (Seoul: Ewha Womans University, 2006), 114.
Wan-gi Ch'oe, The Traditional Ships of Korea (Seoul, Korea: Ewha Womans University Press, 2006).
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