Sukbinchoessisaujemunwongo

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1631-1

Category

Books & Records

Designated year

2010

Location

성남시, 경기도— 경기도 성남시 분당구 하오개로 323 (운중동, 한국학중앙연구원)

Coordinates

37.393030, 127.052183

This calligraphic work, which consists of a manuscript of the prayer composed for Sukbin Lady Choe’s family memorial rite, was made to commemorate the birthday of Sukbin, the mother of King Yeongjo (1694~1776) of Joseon, on November 6, 1726. The cover of the manuscript is written in silk with orange-colored flower patterns and bears two inscriptions – the title and the writer (King Yeongjo). The main prayer text is followed by a short congratulatory message written for Jeongbin Lady Yi (1694~1721), the mother of King Jinjong (1719~1728) and the concubine of King Yeongjo. Sukbin Lady Choe, a daughter of Choe Hyo-won, entered the palace at the age of 7 and eventually became King Sukjong’s concubine. She gave a birth to Prince Yeoning (later to become King Yeongjo) on September 13, 1694, and died at the age of 49 on March 19, 1718 (the 44th year of the reign of King Sukjong). Her funeral ceremony was held in Yangju (now Yeongjang-ri, Gwangtan-myeon, Paju City) on May 12, 1718. King Yeongjo built the Yuksang Tomb (Soryeong Tomb) for her in 1725 (the first year of his reign) at the current location of the Seventh Palace, 1-1, Gungjeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and the status of her tomb was raised to the Palace Yuksang (Soryeongwon) in 1753. Although royal calligraphic works dating from the Joseon Dynasty are relatively rare, King Yeongjo left behind more examples of calligraphy (including poems, literary works, signboards, and writings of diverse contents and sizes) than any other king. In particular, this manuscript, with its powerful writing style, written when Yeongjo was 33, is a rare example of an official dispatch written for a royal ceremony.

Location