• Acta Via Serica
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-47
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• 2017

The corridors to the north and south of the $Takl{\bar{a}}m{\bar{a}}k{\bar{a}}n$ (塔克拉瑪干 Ta-ke-la-ma-gan) Desert are the most important regions for cultural confluence on the Silk Road, where caravans made it to the Chinese capital or the Korean Peninsula by the northern road, through the city of Turfan, or the southern path of Khutan. Being an important part of the Silk Road in the course of history, this region was heavily influenced by the cultures of various nations and ethnic communities whose merchants utilized the road to advance their business. The region's language, writing system and literary structure were also affected, so much so that in the course of its tumultuous history, many words, phrases and terms belonging to neighboring cultures found their way into the region, leaving their mark on its linguistic structure. Of the cultural exchanges that took place between the peoples of the region, conspicuous traces can be seen in the architecture, music, literature, texts, and inscriptions. Located in the Turfan region, the minaret of Su Gong (蘇公 Su Gong ) is host to an inscription which bears many signs of such exchanges. As so far no independent research has been conducted to identify the cultural, literary and structural features conveyed in this inscription, the present paper is an attempt to study the inscription in terms of the script, language and syntax in order to unravel the effects of cultures prevalent on the Silk Road on this particular inscription. This study mainly aims to investigate the linguistic structure of the inscription and the impact of the Persian language on Silk Road culture. In fact, we approach the inscription as a symbol of cultural exchange on the Silk Road and will focus on the tradition of Persian inscription-making which affected the Turfan inscription.

• KOMUNHWA
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• no.68
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• pp.59-75
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• 2006

At the beginning of the 21st century with taking a serious view of the harmony between human and nature, and of keeping an ecological balance, China has tried to reduce the gap in economy between rural districts and the urban city, and to carry out the policies for establishing a harmonious socialism through full-scale cooperation and continuous developments. And in order to preserve their traditional culture and to keep the historical legitimacy of People's Republic of China against urgent economical changes since the reform and openness, China has stressed the importance of training patriotic attitude on their cultural heritages. Thus the Chinese museums started to recognize more ad more the importance of social education as well as their functions of preserving the cultural property and of exhibiting it. And with them they have turned their attentions to an Ecomuseum, a new type of a museum. The ecomuseum in China was first established at a remote place between mountains where the ethnic minority inhabited. This was because of the feeling of some crises on culture native to the minority, followed by the process of China's Western Region Development. And it was recognized that they should participate actively in creating the cultural demand of the minority and in establishing a harmonious society with improving economic condition. Therefore in order to activate the ecomuseum it is localized and sinicized little by little through strengthening the management of cultural heritages of the minority.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3163-3167
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• 2014

Background: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiotherapy is equivalent to modified radical mastectomy (MRM) in terms of outcome. However there is wide variation in mastectomy rates dependent both on tumour and patient characteristics. Objective: This study aimed to assess the determinants of surgery choice in Asian patients with early breast cancer in a middle-income country. Materials and Methods: 184 patients with early breast cancer treated between Jan 2008 and Dec 2010 were recruited to complete a questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between surgery choice and demographic and tumour factors, surgeon recommendation, family member and partner opinions, fear of recurrence, avoidance of second surgery, fear of disfigurement, interference with sex life, fear of radiation and loss of femininity. Results: 85 (46%) had BCS while 99 (54%) had mastectomy. Age >60, Chinese ethnicity, lower education level, and larger tumour size were significantly associated with mastectomy. Surgeon recommendation was important in surgery choice. Although both groups did not place much importance on interference with sex life, 14.1% of the BCS group felt it was very important compared to 5.1% in the mastectomy group and this was statistically significant. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the other factors. When analyzed by ethnicity, significantly more Malay and Indian women considered partner and family member opinions very important and were more concerned about loss of femininity compared to Chinese women. There were no statistical differences between the three ethnic groups in terms of the other factors. Conclusions: When counseling on surgical options, the surgeon has to take into account the ethnicity, social background and education level, age and reliance on partner and family members. Decision-making is usually a collective effort rather than just between the patient and surgeon, and involving the whole family into the process early is important.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.319-331
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• 2013

Records found on labels of specimens deposited at Kyoto University (KYO) and references about three Japanese taxonomists, Koidzumi, Gen'ichi (1883-1953), Ohwi, Jisaburo (1905-1977), Kitamura, Siro (1906-2002) were assembled to produce collector's itineraries from 1930 to 1935 in Korea. The quality of data on labels of the specimens varies, but most are only the collector's name and country of collection, often, the locality data are only textual, and the Chinese and Japanese names, as well as the ethnic dialects common to the region, varies widely. It is estimated that approximately 2,000 specimens collected from Korea by three taxonomists are currently held within the collections of Kyoto University herbarium (KYO). Koidzumi, who was the professor of Kyoto University, traversed different northern parts of the country, such as Island Jeju-do, Mt. Keumkang-san, Hamkyongbuk-do during summer (July to August) in 1932, 1933, and 1935. In 1930 and 1932, Ohwi spend three months in the unexplored mountains in northern parts, such as Hamkyeongnam-do, Hamkyeongbuk-do, and Gangwon-do. On the other hand, for two months in the middle of 1935 visited Jeju-do, Mt. Jirisan and travelled through southern parts. Unlike two previous botanists, major collections in Korea by Kitamura took place twice in one major area in northern part and Jeju-do and Mt. Keumgang-san in 1930, 1932, and 1935.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.270-285
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• 2020

This study examines the state of archeological research on Silla and Unified Silla conducted in North Korea and identifies its characteristics. In South Korea, most research has focused on prehistoric times in North Korea, and little research has been done on Silla and Unified Silla. Noting this, we attempted to examine the history of archaeological research in North Korea to provide foundations upon which to go forward. The research was examined in terms of general archaeological themes including tombs, fortresses, the capital city, earthenware, roof tiles, ornaments, weapons, and horse harnesses, and we identified four characteristics from the examination. First, Juche ideology had a great influence on interpretation of the unification of the three kingdoms. The Juche ideology was first proposed in 1955, and at the time, it was not fully established as an ideology but rather seen as constituting opposition to toadyism. Accordingly, the unification of the three kingdoms led by Silla was seen as amounting to collusion with foreign forces and was not acknowledged. A piece of evidence shows that this change took place around 1962. Second, an inclination to testify to the 'uniqueness' of the cultures of the three kingdoms is observed. The argument is that culture in the Korean peninsula has unique characteristics that set it apart from Chinese culture, and that the cultures of the three kingdoms share much in common. This inclination was not mentioned in research until the 1950s, and it can be seen as an effort to comply with Juche ideology and prove the principle of unity as stated in the national leader's instructions in the 1960s. Third, the influence of Goguryeo on the formation of Silla culture is emphasized. Related research explains that Baekje, Silla, and Gaya adopted the 'superior' culture of Goguryeo, and could establish 'uniqueness' of culture accordingly. It is claimed that an advanced Goguryeo culture was disseminated throughout Balhae and Unified Silla, and then to Goryeo, resulting in a true unification of the ethnic culture. Fourth, researchers in North Korea presume the Silla tombs and other relics to be far older than South Korean researchers' estimate. From a standpoint of highlighting the long history of Korea, they estimate the Silla Dynasty was founded in the early or mid-first century. Accordingly, archeological evidence that demonstrates the establishment of the state is dated as far back. Such an estimate is also indispensable in justifying the explanation that the chamber tombs of Goguryeo had a direct influence on Silla. These research characteristics which arose during the 1960s continue to be basic guidelines for North Korean researchers.