Jojeong Imjinrangirok (Collection)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1003

Category

Books & Records

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1989

Location

상주시, 경상북도— 경북 상주시 사벌면 경천로 684, 상주박물관 (삼덕리)

Coordinates

36.459908, 128.241074

These war diaries were written by Jo Jeong (1555-1636), a scholar and official of Joseon who lived during the reigns of King Seonjo and King Injo. In 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo’s reign) when Joseon was invaded by the Japanese, Jo Jeong began his wartime diary, relating both events he personally witnessed and heard from others. He was a disciple of Kim Seong-il and Jeong Gu. When the war broke out, he fought against the invading Japanese at the head of the army of volunteer fighters he raised. Starting in 1596 (the 29th year of King Seonjo’s reign), he fought under Yi Won-ik, the wartime Supreme Commander. In 1599 (the 36th year of King Seonjo’s reign), he successfully passed the local official recruitment examination, and two years later, the civil service examination. He was appointed as an assistant section chief of the Ministry of Finance, and later a bailiff of the Office of Inspector-General. He also served as the Magistrate of Daegu. Posthumously, he was promoted to the position of the Second Minister of Personnel. The diaries cover a period of about six years from 1592 to 1597. Its seven books are made up of two books of ‘Imjin ilgi’ and one book each of ‘Namhaengnok,’ ‘Jinsarok,’ ‘Ilgi bu jamnok’ and ‘Mungyeonnok.’ The entries are daily, and on some days without events worthy of note, only the weather is reported. There are dozens of diaries of this type related to the Japanese Invasion of 1592. But, ‘Imjin ilgi’ by Jo Jeong is arguably the most complete and thorough records of this war, covering a full six-year period except some ten days on the year of Imjin (1592). This ensemble of records provides rare insights into Joseon’s society at that time, the deployment of armed forces and the activities of voluntary fighters who joined government forces in defending the country from the enemy.

Location