Geunsarok (Reflections on Things at Hand)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.262

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려 공민왕 19년(1370)

Designated year

1963

Location

봉화군, 경상북도— 경상북도 봉화군 충재길 60 (봉화읍, 충재박물관)

Coordinates

36.905489, 128.742568Kakao address conversion

Geunsarok is a ‘Reflection on Things at Hand.’ It was made by Seopchae, a noted Confucian scholar of the Sung Dynasty, by compiling important parts from “Taegeukdoseol” by Zhou Dunyi and “Seomyeong” by Zhang Zai which are the manuals in neo-Confucianism. Bak Sang-chung, a great neo-Confucian scholar of the time, gave this book to Yi In-min when Yi was newly appointed as the Governor of Jinju in 1370, the 19th year of the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo (918-1392). The printing style of the book suggests that its plate was reprinted with the sample of the first edition. This book was Gwon's favorite who was a government official and a scholar during the reign of King Jungjong of Joseon (1392-1910). He always carried this book and even gave a lecture on it in the king’s presence. Even though this book is a reprinted version of the Chinese edition, it is very valuable because of the scarce volume of the Goryeo edition, and also because it is a must read book for neo-Confucian scholars of Joseon. Moreover, the preface of the book was written by King Jeongjo himself.

Location