Yu Sang (Korean유상; Hanja柳瑺; 柳尙; 柳相;[1] 1643–1723[2]), alternatively Ryu Sang (류상), courtesy name Yeojin (汝珍, 여진),[3] was a royal court physician and politician of the Korean Joseon dynasty. He was a smallpox specialist who successfully treated three Joseon kings.[1]

In 1693, due to having cured Sukjong's smallpox, he was granted a political office. Later he became the governor of Seosan, Goyang, Hapcheon and Saknyeong.[3]

His experiences with smallpox are detailed in his book, Gogeum Gyeongheom Hwalyubang (古今經驗活幼方).[1]

Supernatural anecdotes featuring him and a divine being circulated due to his fame.[4]

Family

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He was a 23rd-generation descendant of the Munhwa Ryu clan.[1] His father Yu Gyeongjib (柳景緝) served as an observation officer (觀察使, gwanchalsa).[3] His son Yu Jungrim (柳重臨) was also a medical practitioner who also wrote the agricultural text Jeungbo sallim gyeongje.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d 김, 동율; 조, 학준) (2017). 유상의 고금경험활유방 연구 [A Study on YU Sang's [柳瑺] Book on Smallpox, the GogeumGyeongheomHwalyubang [古今經驗活幼方]] (PDF). The Journal of Korean Medical History (in Korean). 30 (2): 119–131. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  2. ^ 오, 재근 (2021). 조선 의관 허준의 두창 의학과 '변증(辨證)' [Joseon physician Heo Joon's Smallpox Medicine and 'Syndrome differentiation (辨證)']. Korean Journal of Medical History (in Korean). 30 (1): 35–68. doi:10.13081/kjmh.2021.30.35. PMC 10556484. PMID 34010848. S2CID 234791352. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c 김, 신근. 유상(柳瑺) [Yu Sang]. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  4. ^ Chung Myung-sub, ed. (2014). Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature. The National Folk Museum of Korea. p. 152. ISBN 978-89-289-0084-8.
  5. ^ 김, 신근. 유중림(柳重臨) [Yu Jungrim]. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Retrieved 12 June 2021.