• Sijohaknonchong
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• v.26
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• pp.25-54
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• 2007

This paper examines the literatherapy effects of Korea's oldest form of literature, Sijo, and its role in the future of literatherapy. Since literature is the expression of human emotions, and therapy is related to medicine, the two seem to have little in common, but they share the function of resolving conflicts. The effectiveness of literatherapy has only recently become a matter of discussion. However, literatherapy is greatly involved with the utility value of literature, and should be taken seriously. This research focused on the literatherapy function of the 16th-17th century Gangho-Sijo. Gangho-Sijo was created by literary men from the Sarim-school, who were removed from their posts in the government due to a massacre(Sawha) and rianly(Dangjaing), and spent most of their time away from politics. Their Sijo were mostly about life in retreat, and their mental state at that time. In relation to literatherapy, the mentality and attitudes of these scholars can be divided into three stages. The first is anxiety and depression, the second tranquility and harmony. and the third serenity. At the final stage, the scholars are liberated from worldly desires. Each of these phases hold the effect of literatherapy. The first stage can relate to 'theory of purgation', ISO-Prinsip, which is based on 'like cures like' which means to treat something with its own kind Fight fire with fire. The second step involves 'theory of purification', and by balancing his emotions, the scholar can achieve mental stability. In the final stage, literatherapy is acquired when the scholar expresses his emotions in a clarification(theory of clarification). At this phase, literatherapy finally has an effect, while the phase itself functions as literatherapy as well. The study of literatherapy is still at its early stages, thus has many limitations. However, literatherapy has bright prospects, and it is my hope that this report will be used as a reference for its further research.