ABSTRACT
The war of 1592–1598 was a momentous event that gave life to the narratives of China, Korea, and Japan, what they represented and their places in the world. A flood of new knowledge and experience informed people’s understanding of themselves and their neighbours, but this learning was not a straightforward process. During the war, voices from the frontier – from those with direct experience of other countries and peoples – were valued for their authenticity. Yet, the interests of those further from the frontier – both in space and time – influenced what they chose to take in. This chapter looks at examples of how stories about China, Korea, and Japan and their conflict were simplified in subsequent histories of the war, what this reveals, and how it continues to affect us today – including our understanding of why the peace agreement failed and Hideyoshi ordered a second invasion in 1597.
