Yongsailgi Woodblocks

This woodblock is engraved with the war diary written by Songam Yi No (1544–1598), who achieved great merit during the Japanese invasions of Korea (the Imjin War). Yi No studied in his early years under Jo Sik and passed the civil service examination in 1591, the 24th year of King Seonjo. When the Imjin War broke out the following year, he joined forces with Jo Jong-do under Kim Seong-il, raising righteous-army volunteers and achieving great merit. He went on to serve as Assistant Section Chief of the Board of Punishments and as a censor (jeongeon) of the Office of the Censor-General, completed the Yongsa ilgi (War Diary) in 1597, the 30th year of King Seonjo, and died the following year at the age of 55. The diary records in detail events from 1592, the 25th year of King Seonjo, to 1597, the 30th year of King Seonjo, including the activities of the righteous armies, the progress of the war, and the shifting sentiment of the people amid the turmoil. It was not published and circulated, however, until 1763, the 39th year of King Yeongjo, when it was printed by his descendant Yi Dang-hyeok. It was originally produced as a set of 88 woodblocks in all — 2 for the preface, 74 for the main text, 7 for the jang-gye (official reports submitted to the throne), and 5 for the postscript — but a considerable number have since been damaged or lost, and only about 40-odd blocks are now preserved at Hamhwigak. Together with Yi Sun-sin's Nanjung ilgi (War Diary), these woodblocks are regarded as extremely important material for research into the history of the Imjin War.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Uiryeong, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산