Goryeosa(2021-6)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2115-4

Category

Books & Records

Era

1613년(광해군 5) 간인, 17∼18세기 후인(後印)

Designated year

2021

Location

서구, 부산광역시— 부산광역시 서구 구덕로 225 (부민동2가, 동아대학교 석당박물관)

Coordinates

35.103741, 129.019415Kakao 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. Dongguk University Seokdang Museum's treasure Goryeosa comprises one hundred thirty-nine volumes in seventy-five volumes as complete work, recarved woodblock edition from the Ulhaeja version. The first volume contains upper and lower catalogs, royal genealogy, examples, advance dedication, and historical officials' records, with subsequent volumes generally containing two volumes each in sequential order, though volumes twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-eight through thirty-one, forty-three through forty-four, forty-eight, fifty-eight, and sixty-three comprise single-volume units. Each cover top displays 'yeosa' titles with smaller script volume notations below replacing title indicators. Compared to Gyujanggak Archive copies, this edition displays 'Modified Histories Officials' at the volume beginning whereas Gyujanggak places it at the end, with 'Advance Dedication to Modified Goryeosa' positioned between 'Royal Genealogy' and 'Compiled Modified Goryeosa Examples' in this version. Additionally, binding errors exist: volumes thirty-nine and forty in volume twenty-one display reversed sequence as volume forty then volume thirty-nine. Book dimensions measure approximately twenty-seven point five by eighteen point three centimeters, representing the smallest size among investigated Goryeosa editions. Border format employs single-line all-sides style with interior margins approximately nineteen point six by fourteen point two centimeters. Compared to Ulhaeja originals and Archive editions, smaller book size with reduced border dimensions (approximately one point five to two centimeters vertically versus archives and zero point five to one centimeter versus Taebaeksan copies) provides excellent resource material for understanding active and later printing differences. Printing timing assessment suggests later execution following initial printed output based on plate style and character printing conditions. Volume Twenty-three's history biography section features a collection mark 'Tang Heung Count's Personal Collection' likely from Hong Jin (1541-1616), demonstrating supplementation of missing volumes from the initial copies. Complete-volume status with superior preservation conditions establishes shared treasure-designation value with Seoul National and Yonsei University collections for scholarly research and preservation.

Location