• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.157-174
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• 2018

Objectives : The objective of this research is to look deeper into the thoughts of Sajudang in her book on fetal education, Taegyoshin-gi(TGSG), published in the early 19th century Joseon, which focused on her understanding of human development and bodily relationship the mother has with her child with comparison to Korean Medical texts. Methods : The characteristics of TGSG were laid out with comparison to previous texts on fetal education of both China and Korea. After this, they were closely cross-examined with Korean Medical thoughts on human creation, mother-child relationship, and mind-body relationship. Results : Sajudang's thoughts on fetal education as written in TGSG, show a deep understanding of human development and the father and mother's roles in it, expanding the responsibility of fetal education from just the mother to both father and mother. There is also awareness of the importance of the Heart that is at the center of the fetal education process, and of the mother-child relationship through blood. Conclusions : Fetal education as discussed in TGSG expands from previous discourses on the topic, distinguishing itself with thorough understanding of how fetal education works, when it begins, and what the roles of the parents and the community are. This attributes to Sajudang's knowledge that came from both books and her actual experiences.