Seosandaesa Haengcho Jeongseonsagarok

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1667

Category

Books & Records

Era

16세기 말 ~17세기 초

Designated year

2010

Location

해남군, 전라남도— 전남 해남군 삼산면 대흥사길 400, 대흥사 (구림리)

Coordinates

34.542200, 126.686700Museum-based location

This book is a collection of answers to questions about Zen from four major Zen masters of the Song Dynasty, Mazu, Baizhang, Huanbo and Linji, compiled by and written in the hand of Master Seosan (1520-1604), a preeminent monk of mid-Joseon who also fought the invading Japanese at the head of a monk army during the war of 1592. The title at the cover page is Sadaesaeo (Sayings of the Four Masters), while it is written on the inside cover Sagarok jeongseon and Jeongseon sagarok. For the purpose of this catalog, the third title Jeongseon sagarok was chosen to designate the book. Between the lines of handwritten text, there are here and there seal marks with the words Seongyo dochong, indicating Seosan’s title as the Paldo Seongyo Daechongseop (Great General Commander of the Monk Armies of the Eight Provinces). The album consisting of fifteen leaves written on both sides is currently missing the seventh to ninth leaves. One of the missing leaves is included in Geunmuk, a calligraphy album compiled by O Se-chang (currently kept at Sungkyunkwan University Museum). Interestingly, the free and vivacious style of calligraphies in this album is strongly reminiscent of the style of Yang Sa-eon (1517-1584), a calligrapher famous for his cursive script with whom Master Seosan was, besides, acquainted. In a situation where very few writing samples of early Joseon monks of notoriety have survived, this album containing calligraphies by Master Seosan, who is also remembered for his heroic war accomplishments, was deemed to deserve a place in the list of cultural heritage objects, just as much as his personal effects such as the monastic robe and bowl, already designated as Treasures.

Location