Korea's historical roles as a cultural intermediary and military buffer between China and Japan have been frequently noted, yet as the exhibition “5,000 Years of Korean Art” makes apparent, Korea is also a nation whose distinctive social history Korea's historical roles as a cultural intermediary and military buffer between China and Japan have been frequently noted, yet as the exhibition “5,000 Years of Korean Art” makes apparent, Korea is also a nation whose distinctive social history fostered an equally distinctive art history. Although Korea's arts have repeatedly incorporated influences emanating from China and elsewhere, these influences have always been modified by the unique historical conditions prevailing on the peninsula. It follows, therefore, that the objects appearing in the exhibit—and in its comprehensively illustrated catalogue—can fruitfully be viewed both as lessons in history and essays in art.