Iik Seonghojeonjip Woodblocks

The woodblocks for the Seongho Seonsaeng Jeonjip 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 36 volumes and some 1,000 blocks in all, they were published at Moryeongdang, the ancestral hall (jaesa) of the Gwangju An 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. The Seongho Seonsaeng Jeonjip is an expanded edition of the collection, carved with supplementary material added. After the 27-volume Seongho Seonsaeng Munjip was published at Cheonyeonjeong in Miryang in 1917, An Hui-won published this expanded 36-volume Jeonjip in 1922. An Hui-won died before seeing the work completed, but his sons carried it on and published it in full that year. This edition is popularly known as the 36-volume edition, or the Sapo edition; the 27-volume edition is called the Seongho Seonsaeng Munjip, while this 36-volume edition is called the Seongho Seonsaeng Jeonjip. A record titled Mohyeonrok survives, documenting the progress of the publication and the names and amounts contributed by its sponsors.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Miryang, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산