By Kwak Yeon-soo
Two ancient Korean history books "Samguk Sagi" and "Samguk Yusa" will be elevated in status to national treasures, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) announced Wednesday.
This is the first time for Korea's oldest history book "Samguk Sagi" to be designated as a national treasure.
"Samguk Sagi," or History of the Three Kingdoms, is the oldest surviving chronicle of Korean history coming from the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392). Compiled by Kim Bu-sik in 1145, the book mainly deals with political turmoil of the Three Kingdoms _ Silla, Goguryeo and Baekjae _ which ran from 57 B.C. to 668 A.D.
The new National Treasure no. 322-1 is a copy of "Samguk Sagi" printed in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in 1573 under Joseon's 14th King Seonjo's reign. Previously Treasure no. 525, it is a complete set based on the original woodblocks carved during Goryeo and two newer editions carved during Joseon's Taejo and Jungjong eras.
The National Treasure no. 322-2 is woodcut printed from woodblocks similar to the Oksan Seowon edition.
Both books are complete sets of 50 books, giving a glimpse about printing techniques and academic trends during Goryeo and the early Joseon period.
"Samguk Yusa," or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms, is another collection of historical accounts of the Three Kingdoms period and it mainly focuses on legends and folktales. The text was compiled, in part, by the Buddhist monk Iryeon (1206-1289) at the end of the 13th century.
The copy of "Samguk Yusa," which was elevated to National Treasure no. 306-3, was donated to Yonsei University by Professor Sohn Po-kee (1922-2010), a pioneer in prehistoric archaeology in Korea. This copy provides a chronology of ancient kingdoms and deciphers some of the letters which were illegible in other editions of "Samguk Yusa."
Two ancient Korean history books "Samguk Sagi" and "Samguk Yusa" will be elevated in status to national treasures, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) announced Wednesday.
This is the first time for Korea's oldest history book "Samguk Sagi" to be designated as a national treasure.
"Samguk Sagi," or History of the Three Kingdoms, is the oldest surviving chronicle of Korean history coming from the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392). Compiled by Kim Bu-sik in 1145, the book mainly deals with political turmoil of the Three Kingdoms _ Silla, Goguryeo and Baekjae _ which ran from 57 B.C. to 668 A.D.
The new National Treasure no. 322-1 is a copy of "Samguk Sagi" printed in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in 1573 under Joseon's 14th King Seonjo's reign. Previously Treasure no. 525, it is a complete set based on the original woodblocks carved during Goryeo and two newer editions carved during Joseon's Taejo and Jungjong eras.
The National Treasure no. 322-2 is woodcut printed from woodblocks similar to the Oksan Seowon edition.
Both books are complete sets of 50 books, giving a glimpse about printing techniques and academic trends during Goryeo and the early Joseon period.
"Samguk Yusa," or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms, is another collection of historical accounts of the Three Kingdoms period and it mainly focuses on legends and folktales. The text was compiled, in part, by the Buddhist monk Iryeon (1206-1289) at the end of the 13th century.
The copy of "Samguk Yusa," which was elevated to National Treasure no. 306-3, was donated to Yonsei University by Professor Sohn Po-kee (1922-2010), a pioneer in prehistoric archaeology in Korea. This copy provides a chronology of ancient kingdoms and deciphers some of the letters which were illegible in other editions of "Samguk Yusa."
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