Manuscript of Gyeongmong yogyeol (The Secret of Expelling Ignorance) by Yi I

The Manuscript of Gyeongmong yogyeol by Yi I is the original manuscript, written in Yi I's own hand, of Gyeongmong yogyeol (The Secret of Expelling Ignorance), composed as an introductory textbook for children beginning their studies. Yulgok Yi I (1536–1584) wrote it in 1577, the tenth year of King Seonjo, at the age of forty-two, after leaving office to live in Haeju. Yi I was a scholar and statesman of the mid-Joseon period. Having come first in a special state examination at the age of twenty-three, he entered government service, rising through posts including Assistant Section Chief of the Board of Taxation, Assistant Section Chief of the Board of Rites, and Second Royal Secretary, before being appointed Minister of Personnel at forty-seven. Yi I's Neo-Confucian thought exerted a great influence on the course of Korean history down to modern times; he also drafted the Simuyukjo (Six Articles on Current Affairs) and advocated maintaining a standing army of one hundred thousand troops. After his death his spirit tablet was enshrined in more than twenty Confucian academies across the country, and he was given the posthumous title Munseong. Besides Gyeongmong yogyeol, his writings include Seonghakjibyo, Gijasilgi and Maneonbongsa. This book is the original manuscript in Yulgok's own hand, elegantly written in the haengseo (semi-cursive) script on hanji paper. Its contents are arranged in ten chapters, beginning with Chapter 1, "Setting One's Resolve", and ending with a chapter on conduct in the world. At the front of the book is a preface added in 1788, the twelfth year of King Jeongjo: the king personally read the manuscript, composed a piece of writing for its title, and ordered the civil official Yi Byeong-mo (1742–1806) to have it attached to the front of the book. After the mid-Joseon period, Gyeongmong yogyeol became widely disseminated among the public and, together with Dongmong seonseup, was read as a primer for beginning students well into modern times. Although Gyeongmong yogyeol was published many times as woodblock and movable-type editions, the only manuscript in Yulgok's own hand has been passed down for generations, together with relics of Yulgok, in the Kwon family, into which Yulgok's maternal aunt had married. As the sole original manuscript written in Yulgok's own hand, it is judged to be of great value.

AI Translation

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Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Gangneung, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물