Sijo

The original meaning of "sijo", or short lyric poem, was "sijeolgajo", meaning "popular song at that time". The first book written about sijo is Seokbukji, by Seokbuk Sin Gwangsu, a scholar during the rein of King Yeongjo. Inside the book, there is a statement in the chapter of Gwanselakbu saying, "People started to accept the rhythms of sijo because of Lee Sechun, from Seoul." The oldest musical scores appear in the chapter of Yuyeji of Imwongyeongjeji (agricultural encyclopedia) by Seo Yugu, a scholar during the reign of King Sunjo, and in Guracheolsageumjabo (music book for dulcimer), by Lee Gyugyeong.

It is difficult to say whether sijo existed before or after Lee Sechun and whether Lee Sechun created it. Except, the first sijo music was sijo conveyed with yanggeumakbo (yanggeum music) in Yuyeji and Guracheolsageumjabo. According to the oldest musical scores of sijo, it is composed of the three musical scales of hwangjong ,jungnyeo, and imjong in gyemeyonjo (similar with "minor key"), currently called gyeongjepyeong-sijo. The original type of sijo can be said to be gyeongjepyeong-sijo.



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