Taejo of Joseon

Taejo
태조
太祖
Portrait of King Taejo
Grand King Emeritus of Joseon
Tenure14 October 1398 – 27 June 1408
SuccessorTaejong
King of Joseon
Reign5 August 1392 – 14 October 1398
EnthronementSuchang Palace, Gaegyeong
PredecessorDynasty established
(Gongyang as King of Goryeo)
SuccessorJeongjong
Born4 November 1335
Ssangseong Prefecture, Great Yuan
Died27 June 1408(1408-06-27) (aged 72)
Byeoljeon Hall, Gwangyeonru Pavilion, Changdeokgung, Hanseong, Joseon
Burial
Donggureung, Guri, South Korea
Spouse(s)
(m. 1351; died 1391)
    (m. 1370; died 1396)
    Issue
    among others...
    Names
    Yi Sŏng-gye (이성계; 李成桂) → Yi Tan (이단; 李旦)
    Era name and dates
    Adopted the era name of the Ming dynasty:
    • Hongmu (Hongwu) (홍무; 洪武): 1392–1398
    Posthumous name
    • Joseon: Great King Jiin Gyeun Seongmun Sinmu (지인계운성문신무대왕; 至仁啓運聖文神武大王)
    • Korean Empire: Emperor Seongmun Sinmu Jeongui Gwangdeok Go (성문신무정의광덕고황제; 聖文神武正義光德高皇帝)
    • Ming dynasty: Gangheon (강헌; 康獻)
    Temple name
    Taejo (태조; 太祖)
    ClanJeonju Yi
    DynastyYi
    FatherYi Cha-ch'un
    MotherLady Ch'oe
    ReligionKorean Buddhism
    Signature
    Military career
    Allegiance Goryeo
    Years of service1356–1392
    RankCommander-in-Chief of the Three Armies
    Battles / wars
    Korean name
    Hangul
    태조
    Hanja
    太祖
    RRTaejo
    MRT'aejo
    Art name
    Hangul
    송헌, 송헌거사
    Hanja
    松軒, 松軒居士
    RRSongheon, Songheongeosa
    MRSonghŏn, Songhŏn'gŏsa
    Birth name
    Hangul
    이성계, later 이단
    Hanja
    李成桂, later 李旦
    RRI Seonggye, later I Dan
    MRI Sŏnggye, later I Tan
    Courtesy name
    Hangul
    중결, 군진
    Hanja
    仲潔, 君晋
    RRJunggyeol, Gunjin
    MRChunggyŏl, Kunjin

    Taejo (Korean: 태조; Hanja: 太祖; 4 November 1335 – 27 June 1408), personal name Yi Seong-gye (이성계; 李成桂), later Yi Dan (이단; 李旦), was the founder and first monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. After overthrowing the Goryeo dynasty, he ascended to the throne in 1392 and abdicated six years later during a strife between his sons. He was honored as Emperor Go (고황제; 高皇帝) following the establishment of the Korean Empire.

    Taejo emphasized continuity over change. No new institutions were created, and no massive purges occurred during his reign. His new dynasty was largely dominated by the same ruling families and officials that had served the previous regime. He re-established amicable ties with Japan and improved relations with Ming China.