The Korean Mind. Boye Lafayette De Mente

      Most people are surprised to learn that the world’s largest publisher of books on Asia had its beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally books—especially old and rare editions.

      Immediately after WW II, serving in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry, and founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers.

      Though a westerner, Charles was hugely instrumental in bringing knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the “Order of the Sacred Treasure,” the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese.

      With a backlist of 1,500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at any time in its past—inspired by Charles’ core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each.

      Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

       www.tuttlepublishing.com

      Copyright © 1998, 2012 Boyé Lafayette De Mente

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      De Mente, Boye.

       The Korean mind : understanding contemporary Korean culture / Boye Lafayette De Mente.

       p. cm.

       Includes bibliographical references.

       Summary: “Koreans have a unique character and personality that sets them apart from all other Asians. And although Korean attitudes and behavior may be influenced by the modern world, the Korean mindset is still very much shaped by ancient culture and traditions. In The Korean Mind, Boye Lafayette De Mente explores the meanings and cultural context of the most important “code words” of the Korean language, terms whose significance goes well beyond their literal definitions. The reader is given insights into the character and personality of the Korean people, providing bridges for communicating and interacting with them.”--Publisher’s description.

       ISBN: 978-1-4629-0770-0 (ebook)

      1. Korea--Civilization. 2. Korean language--Terms and phrases. I. Title.

       DS904.D425 2012

       951.9--dc23

      2011031330

      Distributed by

      North America, Latin America & Europe

      Tuttle Publishing

       364 Innovation Drive

       North Clarendon,

       VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.

       Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930

       Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993

       [email protected]

       www.tuttlepublishing.com

      Japan

      Tuttle Publishing

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       5-4-12 Osaki Shinagawa-ku

       Tokyo 141 0032

       Tel: (81) 3 5437-0171

       Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755

       [email protected]

       www.tuttle.co.jp

      Asia Pacific

      Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd.

       61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12

       Singapore 534167

       Tel: (65) 6280-1330

       Fax: (65) 6280-6290

       [email protected]

       www.periplus.com

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       10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

       1201MP

      Printed in Singapore

      TUTTLE PUBLISHING ^® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

      This book is dedicated to my wife,

       Margaret Warren De Mente,

       who made it all possible.

      Contents