Singanyupyeonyeokgeosamjangmunseondaechaek Gwon5∼6

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2023

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려본: 고려 말 추정, 조선본: 조선 초 추정

Designated year

2019

Location

중구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 중구

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

Volumes 5 and 6 of Singanyupyeon yeokgeosamjang munseondaechaek, newly compiled by Liu Renchu in 1341, classify by theme the answers of candidates who passed the three main state examinations of the Yuan dynasty of China. As there are only few records about this book in Goryeo era, or there remain few other versions of it. This Singanyupyeon yeokgeosamjang munseondaechaek Volume 5 and 6 is the only materials known which indicates the introduction of this book. The complete set of the book was composed of 72 volumes, of which Volumes 5-6 were composed of the Goryeo edition (2 parts in 2 volumes) and the Joseon edition (2 parts in 2 volumes). The entire contents were printed with metal movable type. Although certain parts are missing, the bibliographic format of that period has been preserved. The Goryeo edition includes a considerable number of characters that were supplemented at a later date, apparently because of damage to the original characters. Many characters of the Joseon edition were printed with Gyemi metal types that were made in 1403 (the 3rd year of the reign of King Taejong) and used until the appearance of Gyeongja metal types in 1420 (the 2nd year of the reign of King Sejong). Singanyupyeon yeokgeosamjang munseondaechaek Volumes 5-6 is a valuable material that sheds light on the production of metal movable types from the end of the Goryeo period to the early Joseon period. It is considered worthy of designation as a “Treasure” as it is the only extant material in the country concerning the answers to state examinations in ancient China, provides valuable information on how this books were brought to Korea, and offers a fascinating glimpse of the movable metal types made at that time.