Manuscripts of Yi Eon-jeok

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.586-1

Category

Books & Records

Era

조선 명종 2∼8년(1547∼1553)

Designated year

1975

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경상북도 경주시

Coordinates

36.011711, 129.163311

Sok daehakhongmun (Questions on Great Learning, Continued) is one of the works by Yi Eon-jeok (pen-name: Hyeojae, 1491-1553), a Neo-Confucian scholar and a statesman of mid-Joseon who lived in King Jungjong’s reign, which were written during the six year period between 1547 (the 2nd year of King Myeongjong’s reign) and 1553 (the 8th year of King Myeongjong’s reign). Yi Eon-jeok entered the government at the age of twenty-four after successfully passing the civil service examination. At one point of his career, he was sent into exile for objecting to the appointment of Kim An-ro to a government office. Later, when Kim An-ro and his faction were ousted from power, Yi Eon-jeok returned to Joseon’s political scene. As a local official, he was loved by the people of his jurisdiction, who erected a monument to praise his wise administration. In 1547, he was again sent into exile, this time for his supposed involvement in an affair where posters critical to the royal house and the government were put up in Yangjaeyeok. He authored numerous books in his place of exile before his death at the age of sixty-three. A larger-than-life figure in Joseon’s Neo-Confucian studies, Yi Eon-jeok was posthumously appointed yeonguijeong (chief state councilor) and was bestowed the title “Munwon.” In Sok daehakhongmun, Yi Eon-jeok adds elements to Da xue huo wen (Questions on the Great Learning) by the Song-dynasty scholar Zhu Xi, which he considered missing from it. This copy was used as a textbook in royal seminars during King Jeongjo’s reign, and has a preface added by him with the title ‘Jeseonjeong Hoejae Sokdaehakhongmun’ which was written by his own hand.

Location