Goryeosa(2021-2)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2114-2

Category

Books & Records

Era

1482년(성종13)

Designated year

2021

Location

관악구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 관악구 관악로 1 (신림동, 서울대학교) 규장각한국학연구원

Coordinates

37.466287, 126.948156Kakao address conversion

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

The Goryeosa (History of Goryeo) represents the official Goryeo historical record compiled by scholars including Jeong In-ji (1396-1478) and Jeong Chang-son (1402-1487) in 1451 (first year of King Munjong) in biographic style, standing as one of Korea's two major official histories alongside the Samguksagi. As the most important source material for Goryeo-era research and the most fundamental resource for understanding Goryeo history and culture, the work comprises one hundred thirty-nine volumes total, organized into forty-six volumes of royal lineages, fifty volumes of biographies, thirty-nine volumes of treatises, two volumes of chronological tables, and two volumes of catalogs. While late-Goryeo officials Lee Jae-hyun and An Chuk attempted compilation efforts, these remained incomplete. Following Joseon's founding, King Taejo Yi Seong-gye commissioned the Goryeongunsa compilation, but this survives no longer. In 1414 (fourteenth year of King Taejong), King Taejong ordered revision and recompilation attempts which remained incomplete. King Sejong ultimately ordered new compilation to address errors, undergoing multiple revisions before beginning compilation in 1449 (thirty-first year of King Sejong) and completing the work in 1451 (first year of King Munjong). This represents the Goryeosa transmitted to present times. While metal-type Ulhaeja editions were produced in 1455 (first year of King Sejong), with subsequent middle-period Ulhaeja editions reportedly recarved on woodblocks, currently extant examples include 1482 (thirteenth year of King Seongjong) Ulhaeja printings, 1613 (fifth year of King Gwanghaegun) woodblock revised editions, and subsequent editions from the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries. The Goryeosa possesses exceptional historical, cultural, and bibliographic significance, functioning as official history crucial for understanding Goryeo's past, employing original primary sources ensuring objective accuracy and reliability, and containing abundant information on Goryeo culture and institutions, meriting treasure designation for preservation and scholarly research. Seoul National University's Gyujanggak copy comprises thirty-two volumes containing ninety-eight volumes from the total one hundred thirty-nine volumes, representing a partial edition. The first volume contains catalog upper and lower sections, royal genealogy, examples, advance dedication, and historical officials' records. Current contents include volumes nine through sixteen (volumes two-three), volumes twenty-three through twenty-five (volume four), volume twenty-nine (volume five), volume thirty-five (volume five), volumes forty through fifty-two (volumes six-ten), volumes fifty-six through seventy (volumes eleven-fifteen), volumes seventy-five through seventy-six (volume sixteen), volumes seventy-nine through eighty-two (volumes seventeen-eighteen), volumes eighty-six through one hundred twenty-four (volumes nineteen-twenty-nine), and volumes one hundred twenty-nine through one hundred thirty-seven (volumes thirty-thirty-two). Among thirty-two volumes, certain books including volumes one hundred one and one hundred four show slight damage, though overall condition remains sound. Compared to the Kyugi5553 catalog cover condition and calligraphy style, identical characteristics appear, suggesting separate editions were compiled selecting quality books for single sets while other volumes were collected separately. Book spine displays inscription 'niceol' combined with 'gongsasasejeop,' confirming original forty-three volume composition. The Goryeosa treasure Ulhaeja edition (catalog Kyugi5554) is incomplete but provides supplementation to Kyugi5553-missing volumes eighty-one and eighty-two, remaining the sole source for mutual comparison of certain volume pages with minor character losses. As the sole surviving exemplar, this partial Goryeosa copy possesses significant cultural heritage value.

Location