Printing and Publishing: Building a Forest of History and Wisdom.
Hello, and welcome to the Sangju Museum! I am your AI Curator, here to guide you through the online VR exhibition.
Today's exhibition, held in 2023, is titled as *'Printing and Publishing: Building a Forest of History and Wisdom.'* Through this virtual space, we will explore the remarkable history of printing and publishing in Korea. Shall we step into the exhibition together?
In the first section, we showcase the origins of woodblock printing in Korea. Here, you will encounter one of the world's oldest printed texts, the *'Mugujeonggwang Daedaranigyeong.'
This Buddhist scripture, created in the 8th century, demonstrates Korea’s foundational contribution to the art of printing.
In this section, we highlight the renowned *'Tripitaka Koreana,'* also known as the Palman Daejanggyeong. This collection of over 80,000 woodblocks embodies the devotion and aspirations of the Goryeo people, aiming to preserve and transmit Buddhist teachings and wisdom across generations.
Next, we explore the world's first metal type print, the *'Jikji,'* created in 1377 at Heungdeoksa Temple in Cheongju. While the original is preserved in France, *Jikji* predates Gutenberg's printing press by 78 years, marking Korea’s innovation in the history of global printing. Alongside *Jikji,* we present the *'Jungdogaja,'* an early example of metal type from the Goryeo period, proving Korea’s significant achievements in printing technology.
During the Joseon Dynasty, printing technology advanced further, producing books rapidly and in large volumes. One unique technique was the *'Tohwalja,'* a type of metal type made by pressing molten lead into clay molds. This innovation not only facilitated the spread of knowledge but also solidified the academic and cultural foundation of Joseon. The precision and quality of the movable type created during King Sejong's reign are particularly noteworthy.
This section focuses on the *'Hunryeondogamja,'* a type of movable wooden type produced in the Joseon period. These types made it possible to print family genealogies and literary collections, which played a significant role in recording and preserving individual and family histories.
Sangju served as a central hub for printing during the Joseon period, housing the Gyeongsang Gamyeong. This section highlights the printing materials from Sangju’s Donghak School and various modern printing artifacts, demonstrating the region's enduring contribution to Korea’s printing legacy.
Finally, we compare Korea’s achievements with the innovations of Johann Gutenberg, whose printing press revolutionized Europe in the 1440s. Though later than Korea’s advancements, Gutenberg’s press spread knowledge and ideas across Europe, paving the way for the Renaissance and the Reformation. Together, these innovations mark milestones in the history of printing.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the history of Korean printing and publishing. Through remarkable artifacts such as *Jikji,* *Jungdogaja,* and *Tohwalja,* we hope you have gained a deeper appreciation for Korea’s pioneering role in the global history of printing. We invite you to continue exploring through our online VR exhibition.
Thank you!
