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Abstract

Damwon emphasized sensual and emotional empathy(感通), unity of knowledge and action, national spirit and patriotism, trust and love for mankind throughout his lifetime. Then how was Damwon received by his family members? This study examines six characteristics of Damwon purveyed in his family narrative. First, Damwon, who inherited the family legacy elevated the cause to a higher level and had a deep respect for his teachers. Second, Damwon was very filial to his parents. The letters and food he sent as care packages during long business trips to his parents concerned about their health and his gratitude and longing for his mother portrayed in his book Jamosa(慈母思) demonstrates his filial devotion. Third, the poems he wrote while mourning for his deceased wife and letters he sent to his sick wife also demonstrate what a caring husband Damwon was. Damwon was also a very affectionate father who often shared jokes with his young children and sent birthday wishes on their birthdays, even after the girls were married. His emphasis on subjectivity when reading poetry, emphasis on the attitude while reading books, attentiveness to his children’s words, and emphasis on hard work over innate talent all indicate how he sought to educate his children at their eye level. Sixth, Damwon, a firm believer of Yang Ming Studies gave children’s nickname(雅號) as a way to achieve national independence. He also gave up on his teaching career when he was only allowed to teach in Japanese, and devoted himself to national enlightenment with a quest to find a national spirit. He was a father who truly knew how to communicate with his family through emotional experiences as portrayed in his family narrative.