Singansangmyeongsanbeop

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1704

Category

Books & Records

Era

1501~1544년(중종년간)

Designated year

2011

Location

달서구, 대구광역시— 대구 달서구 달구벌대로 1095 (신당동,계명대학교성서캠퍼스)

Coordinates

35.855906, 128.484579Kakao address conversion

Five mathematics manuals were used popularly in Joseon, including Sangmyeongsan (Xiangmingsuan in Chinese, Computational Methods Explained in Detail), Gyemongsan (Qimengsuan in Chinese, Computational Education), Yanghwisan (Yanghuisuan in Chinese, Arithmetic Book Compiled by Yang Hui), Ojosan (Wujishan in Chinese, Mathematical Procedures of the Five Canons)’ and Jisan (Disuan in Chinese). Sangmyeongsanbeop is a book providing mathematical knowledge that is essential for everyday activities in the early Ming Dynasty, at a time of booming commerce. The mathematical manual is said to have been written by a certain An Ne, but almost nothing is known about him. This book was one of the most important mathematical manuals in Joseon, along with Sanhak gyemong (Suanxue gimeng in Chinese, Enlightenment of Mathematics)’ by Zhou Shijie of the Yuan Dynasty and Yanghwi sanbeop (Arithmetic Book Compiled by Yang Hui) of the Southern Song. This book with a preface and a table of contents consists of two volumes. The first part contains sixteen entries on numbers and computational methods, and the second part consists of ten entries. This book, the 1373 edition published in China by Mingjingtang (supervised by a certain Mr. Yi from Luling, was printed in Joseon, in the early 16th century, using the eulhae type. This is the most complete copy of all movable type-printed copies of Singan sangmyeongsanbeop as well as the only surviving one in Korea. Sangmyeongsanbeop was a mandatory subject tested in state-administered recruitment examinations for technical jobs in the government, during the Joseon Period. This book holds high significance for the history of science, particularly the history of mathematical education, as well as for bibliographical research into this period.

Location