Iik Seonghomunjip Woodblocks

The woodblocks for the Seongho Seonsaeng Munjip were carved to publish the extensive collected writings of Yi Ik (1681-1763), pen name Seongho, a scholar of Silhak (Practical Learning) who opened a new era in Korea's cultural and intellectual history in the late Joseon period. Comprising 27 volumes and some 800 blocks in all, they were published at Cheonyeonjeong, the pavilion of the Yeoju Yi clan. After his second-eldest brother, Yi Jam, died in prison at the age of 47 following a memorial he had submitted in defence of Lady Jang Huibin, Yi Ik abandoned any ambition of sitting the state examination and spent his whole life at Cheomseong-ri in Ansan, where his ancestors' graves lay. His scholarship was thoroughly grounded in Confucianism, but as the world view and historical consciousness of the age broadened, he developed a fresh awareness of his own country and an evidence-based, empirical outlook. He put forward many arguments that were radical for Joseon society at the time, such as that yangban (the aristocratic class) should engage directly in productive labour and that the status of slaves should be abolished gradually. His works include the Seongho Saseol, the Gwagurok and the Seongho Seonsaeng Munjip. This collection was first compiled in 1774, the fiftieth year of King Yeongjo, by his nephew Yi Byeong-hyu. It was reorganised again in 1827, the twenty-seventh year of King Sunjo, by Hwang Deok-gil together with Yi Ik's great-grandson Yi Jae-nam, but the work remained unfinished until Yi Nam-gyu published it as a 27-volume edition in 1890, the twenty-seventh year of Emperor Gojong. In 1916 No Sang-jik, An Hwa-jin, Son Tae-heon and others from Miryang resolved to publish this 27-volume Seongho Seonsaeng Munjip, and completed the work the following year, in 1917. According to the record of contributors to the publication, some 70 people from 41 clans took part and covered the costs involved. Yi Ik's collected writings, which had lain unpublished in a chest for more than 160 years, could finally be published by the people of Miryang because Heo Jeon, pen name Seongje, on taking up the post of magistrate of Gimhae, repeatedly lamented that Yi Ik's writings had never been published and asked his disciples to see to it.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Miryang, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산