Goryeosa(2021-4)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2115-2

Category

Books & Records

Era

1613년(광해군 5), 초인(初印)

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 one hundred thirty-nine volumes in eighty-five volumes representing the complete work, recarved as woodblock edition from the Ulhaeja version. The Odaesan Archive edition, estimated carving around 1612 (fourth year of King Gwanghaegun) with printing in 1613 (fifth year of King Gwanghaegun), is confirmed through donation records: 'Wangli forty-first year (1613) ninth month, internal gift of one Goryeosa copy to Odaesan Archive.' The first volume contains upper and lower catalogs, royal genealogy, and examples, with advance dedication beginning the second volume. Content begins with royal lineages, followed by treatises, chronological tables, and biographies, with historical officials' records recorded following volume one hundred thirty-seven. Cover titles display ink-brush 'goryeosa' with title plaques attached and inside cover pages containing internal donation records plus 'Gyeongseong Imperial University Library' collection stamps. Official seals appear on volume tops with 'Joseon Government-General Library' and 'Seoul National University Library' stamps on upper margins. Book dimensions measure approximately thirty-four point four by twenty-one centimeters. Considering plate style, borders employ single-line format on all sides with interior margins approximately twenty point three by fourteen point five centimeters. Contains boundary lines with nine-column seventeen-character small-type double-column format. As Odaesan Archive version, both printing condition and binding format preserve original form, maintaining exceptionally high source material value.

Location