Books of the Oksan Branch of the Yeoju Yi Clan

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.524-2

Category

Books & Records

Era

16~17세기

Designated year

2006

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경상북도 경주시

Coordinates

35.990195, 129.227121

ㅇ Conduct of Two Cardinal Relations (1539): As one of the earliest editions among those housed in Korea, this is a valuable document that explains the Confucian and ethical concepts of the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, its plate, a Korean translation of Chinese classics and some engraved records at the end, contribute to the research on Joseon’s changing engraving style and the history of Korean language and bibliography. ㅇ Compilation of Couplets (1542): Jo In-gyu, a literary scholar and governor during the reign of King Jungjo, classified 4~ 6 pairs of couplets in 20 books according to their writing styles and published them while working as jeonhan at Hongmungwan (Office of special advisers). The copies in the Collection of the Oksan family consist of two books with one volume each, including jo (“Proclamation,” vol. 1) and gye (“Enlightenment,” vol. 11.) The information on the king’s bestowal of the book appears at the back of the cover of Volume 1, letting us know its year of publication. ㅇ Later Expanded National Code (1543): This is a compilation of documents granted by the king on occasions of investitures over the course of 50 years from the enforcement of the Expanded National Code to 1542. The back of the cover has records on the king’s bestowal of the book. ㅇ Poems of a Chinese Envoy (1546): In February 1546 (the first year of the reign of King Myungjong), Wanghak visited Korea as a minister in charge of the memorial service of deceased ministers. On that occasion, this book was published by compiling poems by Wanghak and responding poems by Korean ministers including Jeong Sa-ryong who welcomed the envoy. This document, which includes the king’s bestowal record, is important for the research on the history of diplomatic relations between Korea and China, Chinese literature, and bibliography. ㅇ Book on Benevolence (1550): Yi Eon-jeok (pen-name: Hoejae) (1491-1553) wrote this book while living in exile in Ganggye. As a collection of diverse theories regarding benevolence, a key concept of Confucianism, and the author’s opinions, this compilation is an important document for the research on the Song Confucianism of the Joseon Dynasty. ㅇ Admonitions (around 1547): Yi Eon-jeok compiled 91 articles that include 75 articles on admonition written by Confucian scholars of the Song period and 16 poems written by him. It is an important document for the research on Yi Eon-jeok’s academic achievements. ㅇ Journal on Parent’s Teaching in the Gwanseo Region (1549-1553): Yi Jeon-in, a son begotten by a concubine of Yi Eon-jeok, wrote about what he observed and learned from his father when he visited and attended on Yi Eon-jeok who had lived in exile in Ganggye. It shows how a great scholar treats his son in a place of exile. ㅇ Writings of Senior Scholars (1571): This book is a compilation of articles including Taegeuk Munbyun Dapseo (Reply to the Analysis of Issues regarding the Supreme Ultimate); its authors include Yi Eon-jeok, Kim Goeng-pil, Jung Yeo-chang, and Jo Gwang-jo. ㅇ Yi Hwang’s Letters to the Family of Yi Eon-jeok: These are the two letters that Yi Hwang sent to Yi Eon-jeok’s family in 1566 and 1567. ㅇ Letters by Yu Seong-ryong: These are the 13 letters that Yu Seong-ryong wrote in 1586, 1587, 1588, 1599, 1601, and 1604. ㅇ Letters written by Jeong Gu: These are the 35 letters that Jeong Gu (1543-1620, pen-name: Hanggang) wrote in 1607 and 1611 and from 1614 to 1618. ㅇ Letters by Scholars: These are 21 letters written by scholars including Bak Gye-hyeon, Noh Su-sin, Jang Hyeon-gwang, Yu Seong-ryong, Kim Seong-il, Yun Geun-su, Yi An-nul, Jeong Chang-yeon, Yi Hui-su, Jeong Gyeong-se, Yi Ho-min, Yi San-hae, and Yeo Dae-no. ㅇ Letters: These are 17 letters written by scholars including Yi Hui-jo, Kim Jang-saeng, Song Si-yeol, Yi Jeong-gu, Yun Du-su, Yun Geun-su, Yi Dan-sang, Yun Hwi, and Yun Bang.

Location