Certificate of Meritorious Subject Issued to Yi Hwa

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.232

Category

Books & Records

Era

조선 태조 1년(1392)

Designated year

1986

Location

전주시, 전북특별자치도— 전라북도 전주시 완산구 쑥고개로 249 (효자동2가, 국립전주박물관)

Coordinates

35.816700, 127.099000Museum-based location

This is a royal letter bestowed to Yi Hwa for his distinguished service in helping to establish a new dynasty in 1392 (the 1st year of King Taejo of Joseon). Yi Hwa was a step-brother of the founder king, whose real name was Yi Seong-gye. It measures 604.9cm wide in total, made of 9 pieces of mulberry tree fiber paper, each identically measuring 35.5cm long; both the 33cm of silk cloth decorating and supporting the marginal space in the front, and the silk lining on the back, are from the original scroll which had been corroded off in the course of time. It is written with the name of the recipient, example cases of his distinguished service, prize and privileges given to the recipient, his parents, wife and offspring. However, Yi Hwa had no heir to inherit the document, so it has been kept by the descending family of Yi Won-gye, a step-brother of Yi Hwa. This royal letter is a precious material to study the rewarding system for meritorious vassals in the early Joseon period.

Location