Joseon Document Find

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Thousands of ancient documents, paintings and calligraphic works from the late Joseon Dynasty have been found at the library of a Japanese university. The newly discovered materials are expected to shed new light on Korean studies. Let's find out more.

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This is a collection of poems written by Chusa Kim Jung-hee, a renowned calligrapher of the Joseon Dynasty era. This is the first time the poetry collection has been made public in Korea. It is a protected valuable as part of the Tanimura collection at Kyoto University's library.

[Soundbite] Prof. Shim Kyung-ho(Korea University) : "On the back of this collection, there is a detailed explanation about the reasons and meanings of selecting these poems."

A team from the Research Institute of Korean Studies at Korea University recently surveyed the Japanese university's library and confirmed the existence of thousands of valuable ancient documents, paintings and calligraphic works from the later era of the Joseon Dynasty. They include a new woodblock printed edition of Kyungse-Yoopyo, a representative book of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, one of the greatest scholars in the later Joseon period. Also among the newly discovered relics are Geumseok-Jipcheop, a compilation of rubbings of stone inscriptions across the nation, which was produced during the era of King Youngjo, as well as a rare edition of Dongkuk-Yeoji-Seungram, a representative geography book of the Joseon period.

[Soundbite] Prof. Park Young-min(Korea University) : "The materials are a very important discovery for Korean studies and academic history in general."

Following additional research, the discovered items will be digitalized and used as academic materials.