• The Korean Journal of Archival Studies
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• no.17
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• pp.39-84
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• 2008

In this article, how the records were compiled, stored and managed during the latter half period of the Joseon dynasty is examined. In details, the compilation of and and Euigwe, the establishment of 'history chambers(史庫)' and the Wae-Gyujanggak facility, and the creation of records such as 'Shillok Hyeongji-an', are all investigated. Examination of all these details revealed that in the latter half period of the Joseon dynasty, it was the royal family which actively led the task of meticulously compiling records and also storing & managing those established materials with great integrity and passion. The intention behind creating all these records containing everything the kings said and done over centuries must have been determination to enhance the openness and integrity of politics in general, while also emphasizing the importance of such values inside the government. In order to establish a tradition preserving records not only for a limited time period but also for eternity, 'history chambers' were founded in rocky mountain areas, and additional chambers(Wae-Sago) were created as well, in areas deemed strategically safe in military terms such as the Ganghwa-do island. Officials put in charge by the king himself of historical documenting reported to the history chambers on a regular basis and checked the status of the materials in custody, and the whole checking process was documented into a form called 'Shillok Hyeongji-an'. And for long-term preservation of materials, officials sent by the king regularly took all the materials outside, and conducted a series of 'desiccating procedures', under strong sunlight('Poswae'). Thanks to the efforts of our ancestors who did their best to preserve all the records, and tried everything to manage them with great caution, we can examine and experience all these centuries-old materials, mostly intact. It is imperative that we inherit not only the magnificent culture of creating and preserving records, but also the spirit which compelled our ancestors to do so.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.40
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• pp.207-241
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• 2007

This paper investigates the royal collection of paintings and calligraphy during King Gojong's (高宗) reign (1897~1907) based on the function of the Jipgyeong-dang Hall (緝敬堂), situated at "sleeping realm (寢殿)," Gyeongbok Palace. Using the surviving palace records and art works this study argues that the date of building the hall is approximately confined to the year of 1890. Not being matched with the general opinion that the Jipgyeong-dang Hall was used for the official meeting with envoys, this hall functioned as the main place for royal audience and the storehouse for archives. The role of Gojong as collector and patron was essential not only to the maintenance of the collection but also to the strengthening of royal authority just before the Japanese annexation in 1910. The specific titles of the collection at this hall can be verified through the Catalogue of the Books, Paintings, and Calligraphy Exposed to the Sun at Jipgyeong-dang Hall (緝敬堂曝曬書目) dating to the nineteenth century. The records of the catalogue inform us that more than 1,000 paintings and pieces of calligraphy, inkrubbings from old steles, manuals for painting, and encyclopedia concerning art theories from Korea, China, and Japan were preserved there. The collection of Jipgyeong-dang Hall resulted from Gojong's policy to foster the collection of contemporary Chinese and Japanese art works and various catalogues. Standing behind the Gyeongbok Palace, the Jibok-jae Hall (集玉齋) also preserved the diverse sources of practical learning, as did the Jipgyong-dang Hall for Gojong. The enormous royal collections by Gojong might have been constructed in accordance with the royal artistic taste and the artistic milieu of the late Joseon period. The surviving royal catalogues confirm this assumption as documentary evidence.