조선 후기 列聖御筆의 刊行과 廣布

Abstract

In the latter part of Joseon dynasty, Yeolseong-eopil (列聖御筆 Collection of Calligraphic Writings by the Late Kings) were published each in lithographic and woodblock printing. The first lithographic edition was published in 1662 under the supervision of the descendents of royal family as Prince Yi U (李俁),in which nine Kings’ calligraphies were compiled. After that, the calligraphies of the late successive kings were followed up respectively in 1679, 1722, and 1725. Especially in 1725, for the fist time, the calligraphy of Taejo (太祖 1st King of Joseon) was also added in front, and the appearance of Yeolseong-eopil took on a new aspect. On the other hand, in 1630 Prince Yi Gwang (李珖 8th son of King Seonjo)published the woodblock print book maned Seonmyo-eopil (宣廟御筆), Collection of Calligraphies by the Late King Seonjo (宣祖 r. 1568~1608). That book formed the basis of publishing the woodblock edition of Yeolseong-eopil in 1662. At that time three Kings’ calligraphies were published, although no version has been found. However in 1679, 1722, and 1725, the calligraphies of the next successive kings were followed up respectively and each version has been remained. After the reign of King Jeongjo (正祖 r. 1777~1800) the tradition of publishing Yeolseong-eopil was not continued again. He only printed and distributed Yeongmyo-eopil (英廟御筆), Collection of Calligraphies by the Late King Yeongjo (英祖 r. 1725~1776), which were already engraved in the reign of Yeongjo. 193조선 후기 列聖御筆의 刊行과 廣布And after the reign of King Sunjo (純祖 r. 1801~1834) there was no case of publishing the calligraphies of the late king. Comparing with the fact that Yeolseong-eoje (列聖御製 Collection of Poetries and Proses by the Late Kings)was continually published more than 10 times from 1631 to 1865, it leaves us much to be desired. In publication of Yeolseong-eopil, the Office of Royal Family Affairs (宗親府) collected and edited kings’ calligraphies and also supervised the whole process. And the Office of Publication and Seals (校書館) carried out the practical process as copying, engraving, printing, and mounting/binding. In manufacturing methods, lithographic prints were intaglio (陰刻), coal-black ink rubbing, and album mounting (帖粧), while woodblock prints were in relief (陽刻), general ink printing, and mainly book binding (冊粧). These albums/books of Yeolseong-eopil are good examples showing the high standard of government publication in the late Joseon period. Each volume was always presented to the king and the crown prince and enshrined in designated places as Sago (史庫 Historical Repository) and consistently maintained. Also it was distributed to main government offices and granted to royal families and government officials. Like this Yeolseong-eopil was the representative publication spreading the legacies of the kings in the Joseon Dynasty.