• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.289-301
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• 2021

When investigating old, printed documents, determining whether a work is printed on a woodblock or using a movable metal type is crucial. It is because the history of printing in Korea and across the world relies on determining the relevant printing invention used and the time of use of the movable metal type. Deciphering details from woodblock and metal prints requires various kinds of information regarding the imprint and the work's printing background, such as information on the characters in the printed document, the outline of the pages, the type of ink used, the production period of the ink, and the production period of the Korean paper. Analyzing such information can generally reveal the production period and the methods used on the old document. However, as such information is not documented systematically, relying on the researcher's judgment based on their experience and perception becomes inevitable. This study conducted an experimental investigation of the printing characteristics of woodblock prints using a replicated woodblock of the Wanpanbon edition of the Shimcheongjeon. Subsequently, the various phenomena and characteristics appearing on the woodblock prints were documented for future reference to determine the printing method of old documents. Finally, woodblock novels without an imprint may be used as a reference to estimate the printing dates by determining the degree of wear on the woodblock.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.590-605
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• 2021

The history of printing technology in Korea is studied by investigating existing ancient documents and records and comparing accumulated data and knowledge. Cultural property research requires non-destructive testing and observation with the naked eye or aided by a microscope. Researchers' experience and knowledge are required even though they cannot guarantee the outcome. For ancient documents and records that are presumed to consist of woodblock printing, wood type printing, metal type printing, or their combinations, each researcher draws various opinions and conclusions. This often causes confusion and divides the opinions of ordinary citizens and field specialists. Among them, the criteria for judging ancient documents or books printed using woodblock and metal movable material are ambiguous. Academic research on the development history of printing technology in ancient Korea has been stagnant, and conflicts among researchers have also erupted. Involvement of national investigative agencies not specialized in cultural properties has exacerbated the situation. In this study, we investigated printing characteristics that are likely to serve as more objective judgment criteria by quantitatively analyzing the experiments of retrieving several sheets of Korean paper (Hanji) using a replicated Hunminjeongeum (訓民正音) woodblock and quantitatively analyzing the images of the printed papers. In addition, the validity and questions for the typical phenomena presented as a method for distinguishing between woodblock and metal print are reviewed. We investigated the possibility of developing new objective judgement criteria through quantitative analysis using image analysis and investigating the printing characteristics of Korean paper through a reproduction experiment of woodblock printing.

• SUVANNABHUMI
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.1-28
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• 2010

This paper offers a brief introduction to Vietnamese folk paintings. The discussion compares Vietnamese folk paintings with the Korean folk painting tradition. Among the main purposes of this paper is the exploration of directions for future research on Vietnamese folk paintings. Vietnamese folk paintings, although extensively influenced by their Chinese tradition of minjian nianhua (folk New Year pictures), form an independent tradition, reflecting the local lifestyle and religious practices of Vietnam. However, compared to Korea or Japan, China remains the dominant source of influence for Vietnamese folk paintings. They were either created using a combination of painting and woodblock printing techniques, which was also the case with minjian nianhua, or using multicolor woodblock printing techniques. In cities like Hang Chong, the combination of painting and woodblock printing techniques was used mainly, following the customary practice in Yangliuqing in Tianjin, China, in which colors were added to the drawing printed from the woodblock. Meanwhile, folk paintings produced in rural areas such as Dong Ho are wholly color woodblock prints, similar to minjian nianhua from Yangjiabu in Weifang. In Lang Sinh, simple drawings, intended for casual purposes, were also created using the combination of woodblock printing and painting techniques. Folk paintings produced in cities and rural areas were distinct from each other, not just in techniques, but also in terms of style and theme. Vietnamese folk paintings show a certain degree of thematic similarity with Joseon folk paintings. This is mainly due to the fact that the two countries' folk paintings developed and evolved in parallel with their Chinese counterparts, minjian nianhua. Also noteworthy is the fact that Vietnamese folk paintings, while they share the simplicity and candidness of Joseon folk paintings, are at the same time somewhat more decorative than the latter. For best results, future research on Vietnamese folk paintings should be conducted together with research on minjian nianhua. Traditional pigments constitute an important area of research in this field. Attention should be also paid to the religious paintings of ethnic minorities in Vietnam, as they are discovered in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.20
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• pp.331-403
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• 1991

1. The Purpose of the Research Historical study on the early woodblock printing in Korea has been mostly focussed on woodblock-printed books. Whereas, researches on those who pioneered to develop the advanced culture of the times have been very scant. Meanwhile, extant temple woodblock publications contain well preserved descriptions about Monk-Engravers and Sextons together with respective colophons at the end of the books. These records are very important research materials in the study of woodblock printing history and are also very useful source materials for discernment in conducting historical research about woodblock-printed books. Based on these records, this research has revelaed the characteristics of the Engrevers and realities of engraving activities, and by doing this, has clarified the characteristics of temple woodblock publications, and discussed the historical research about the woodblock-printed-publications by means of the Engravers. 2. Research Methods Temple woodblock publications with colophons in the nation's major libraries have been directly investigated and 3,059 Engravers were identified in 510 different woodblock-printed books, based on which this research and analysis have been conducted. 3. Research Results As a result of the research the followings have been clarified. A The Engravers' status composition and the motivation of engraving. B. The realities and tendencies of the Engravers' activities. C. The characteristics of the times found in the Engravers' lists. D. Historical research methods through the names of the Engravers.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.96-108
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• 2022

To understand the process of publication and distribution of ancient Korean novels under the Joseon dynasty and Japanese occupation, collecting information on the publication of various printed materials and estimating their publication date through various methods is extremely important. In this study, the characteristics and differences that appeared in the woodblock printing process were investigated using image comparison among editions of the Honggildongjeon (Tale of Honggildong) of Wanpanbon (完板本) (published in the Jeonju region) with other commercial editions of the ancient Korean novels. Additionally, the publication year of each edition was estimated. Printed images of different versions were compared with those of a recently discovered original series version and the changes in the process of carving replacement woodblocks were investigated and summarized. Various phenomena, such as differences in fonts, borderline shapes and integrity of printed characters, appearing in woodblock prints provided useful information for determining chronological relationships between the prints and estimating the approximate publication year for each edition. The various characteristics of woodblock printing obtained through this study are expected to serve as a reference for estimating the relationship between the printing method and the approximate publication date of old books and paper-based printed historical records.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.50-64
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• 2022

This thesis is a study on the woodblock of Donguibogam by Jeolla Gamyeong(Wanyoung Woodblock). It was registered as a tangible cultural property in Jeollabuk-do in 2005. The purpose of this article is to determine the current status and value of the Donguibogam Wanyoung Woodblock. Jeonju Hyanggyo's Wanyoung Woodblock was used to print books in Gamyeong, Jeolla Province. Currently, ten kinds of woodblocks are preserved. In 1987, a wooden bookshelf was installed and preserved in "Jangpangak" of Jeonju Hyanggyo. It is now preserved and managed at Chonbuk National University Museum. Among the ten woodblocks, the Wanyoung woodblock of Donguibogam is presumed to be a woodblock of a book printed by Jeolla Gamyeong in 1814. The value of Donguibogam has long been recognized domestically and internationally. Donguibogam, compiled in 1610, was first published in 1613 in the wood type of Gaeju Gapinja. Following its publication, its value was recognized not only in Joseon but also in China and Japan. In 2009, the first edition of Donguibogam was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage. Accordingly, Donguibogam has been recognized for various aspects, but little research has been conducted on the woodblocks that printed Donguibogam. Therefore, this paper analyzes the current status of the Wanyoung woodblock of Donguibogam, aiming to enhance its meaning and value. King Seonjo presented the ideals of public health care and preventive medicine when compiling Donguibogam, which was distributed according to his instructions. For this reason, the first edition of Donguibogam was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage. It can be said that the production of Donguibogam woodblocks was an important tool in realizing Joseon's ideals through national dissemination. Furthermore, the woodblock of Donguibogam represents the spirit of thinking about the people, going beyond the purpose of printing, and it was meaningful in the spread of medical knowledge among the people. In this article, I will examine the overall contents of the Wanyoung woodblock of Donguibogam to enhance its meaning and value. The results show that the Wanyoung woodblock of Donguibogam is meaningful in that it is almost the only one produced and stored by Gamyeong. Moreover, Wanyoung woodblocks are meaningful in that perfect editions could be preserved and disseminated for a long time, unlike other wood-type prints.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.29
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• pp.345-382
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• 1995

The type printing of first Ch'ing dynasty term in China is worthy to be studied because the type printing during that period included metal type, wood type, and clay type as well as the development phase was similar to Chosun dynasty culturally and technologically. This paper studied typography during the first Ch'ing dynasty term, including Shunzhi(1662-1722), Yongaheng(1723-1735), Qianlong(1736-1795), Jiaqing(1796­1820) period. The main results of the study is as follows. 1. The main body of type printing was bookstore, lecture-hall, and individual as well as the royal court that is the central government. 2. The content of type edition covers classics, history, philosophy, and literary works. Specifically, even though Wuyingdienjuzhenban series is excluded, the content includs study of the classics, class of the history, class of the philosophy, literature works that include collection works and novel and government official bulletin. 3. The printing technique of bronze type was very popular In Beijing. Jiangsu, and Taiwan. It's scale and production technique was more elaborate than in Ming dynasty. 4. Wood type was very popular in Beijing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Sichuan, and Fujian. In addition to wood type, chinese ware type was applied to book printing in Shandong. However, most of them were wood type and they were used after Qianlong period. 5. The production technique of type was skilled enough to present the fine view of a style of type. The typesetting technique was improved as much as woodblock printing. With regard to the making technology of Chinese ink, the light and darkness of chinese ink was not even sometimes. But, the technology was improved significantly when comparing with the failure experience of printing that chinese ink was not developed in early type invention. 6. In case that the book was printed in bookstore with the intention of profit and the number of book was large, the proofreading attitude was rough. However, overally, it was made correction carefully applying the various methods of proofreading. 7. The support of government made a great contribution in the area of all printing technology, including production, typesetting, and brushing of type.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.14
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• pp.131-148
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• 1987

The Yi-Dynasty published the calendars printed by means of woodblock and typeprinting for the purpose of informing its people of four seasonal changes and appropriate time for farming. The printing types were used to publish the calendars in those days varied depending upon the kinds of the calendars, but all those types are known as only one name: Kwansanggam Type. This is because there have been little studies on the different kinds of printing types. As a result, there are many cases where the libraries make erroneous notes in their catalogues. This study points up the fact that four different kinds of Kwansanggam Type were used depending upon the nature of the calendars. For classification purpose, I call these types Daetongryokja, Naeyongsamsoja, Myongsiryokja, and Chiljongryokja. What has not been revealed in this study can be further explained as the more calendars of those days are found out.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.28
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• pp.71-81
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• 1995

There are no exact copies or carvings of India's original Buddhist Scripts published in Korea that had been flowed into Japan except those of WanSanJungUiMongSanPuPo(환산정의몽산법어). YaWoonJaKyung (야운자경). KyeChoShimHakInMoon(계초심학인문) PalSimSooHangChang(발심수행장) and MongsanWhaSangPupoRackLock published by a mid-Chosun Dynasty Buddhist monk, YaWoon TaesunSa. Others are the translations by Chinese people. All printings were of woodblock except ChonjimyungYangsoo- RhockChapMoon(천지명양수육잡문) of Inkyng wood printing type. This shows perhaps that the Buddhists were so devout that they spared no effort in their prayers to head for the Paradise. Even the woodblock carver himself took his hard work for granted in his belief and engraved the blocks with all his heart taking his work as God-given task. Or. perhaps they to use wood-block printing as the demand for the Scripts soared. By the way. as the Koryo Dynasty took Buddhism as the state religion, it was natural that the Buddhist Scripts were published at TaeJangToKam (the publishing office) and were much encouraged. It is noteworthy. however, that not a few Buddhist Scripts had been published during the Chosun Dynasty despite its crack-down on Buddhism as the Confucianism was declared as the state principle. The Scripts were even published by such temples as MoonJooSa(문수사), MyoHeeAm(묘희암). SsangbongSa(쌍봉사). PyoHoonSa(표훈사), YooJupSa(유점사), YongJangSa(용장사). and AnShimSa(안심사). The fact that the Scripts were even published by KanKyungToKam(간경부감) leads us to reconsider the traditional way of thinking of the Chosun Dynasty as anti-Buddhist or flunkeyist. The historical fact that a record number of Buddhist publications had been transmitted to Japan - is it accidental? - This issue could well be another subject matter for further research. However, it should be noted that very few of above­mentioned Buddhist Scripts are found in present-day Korea.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.206-220
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• 2023

In the royal publishing process of the Joseon Dynasty, the main species of wood used for woodblock printing was recorded as Jajak-mok. Although the name Jajak-mok may suggest Jajak-namu(white birch), it is presumed to refer to a different type of wood than Jajak-namu based on its recorded habitat and usage in historical documents. The aim of this paper is to clarify that during the Joseon Dynasty, the term Jajak-mok referred to Geojesu-namu (Korean birch), while Jajak-namu was called Hwa-mok(樺木). Additionally, this paper explores how the term Jajakmok eventually became the name of white birch, Jajak-namu, used today. In the mid-18th century, Japan used the character 樺(hwa) to refer to Beot-namu(Sargent cherry). As Japanese encyclopedias entered Joseon, the term Hwa-mok began to refer to both Beot-namu and Jajak-namu, which is also called Bot-namu. Since the pronunciation of Boet-namu and Bot-namu are similar, the two trees were eventually unified under the name Boet-namu. In the 20th century, the official names of three trees were established. According to notifications issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce of the Korean Empire in 1910 and the Governor-General of Chosen in 1912, Hwa-mok(white birch) was renamed asJajak-namu. In 1968, Beot-namu(Sargent cherry) retained its original name, and Jajak-mok(Korean birch) was remained . In modern Chinese character dictionaries, the meaning of 樺(hwa) is listed as "1. Beot-namu(Sargent cherry), 2. Jajak-namu(white birch)." From this, we can infer the historical background in which the names of these three trees were mixed up.