Woodblock-printed. 4, 1, 16, 39; 40, 33, 2 folding leaves. Three kwŏn in two volumes. Small folio (341 x 216 mm.), orig. semi-stiff patterned wrappers, handwritten title on upper covers, old stitching. [Hansŏng]: [Chujaso], Preface dated 1797.

Very rare Korean collection of community rituals (K. hyangnye 鄉禮), compiled by and printed for the King of Korea. We find no copy in Korea, and only three copies in WorldCat (Berkeley, Columbia, and Harvard).

The reign of King Chŏngjo of Korea (r. 1776-1800) witnessed a shift in the sovereign’s role in relation to Confucian teachings. “Chŏngjo sought to formulate the sage-king as... More

Two parts in one vol. Small folio, orig. wrappers (somewhat tired & a little soiled, some light staining & soiling here & there), manuscript title on upper cover, later stitching. [Hansong (Seoul): Kyujanggak (the Royal Library), Preface dated 1793 & 1796].

First edition of this handsome and large-format (323 x 217 mm.) royal publication. King Chongjo (1752-1800), was one of the most intellectual and enlightened of the Korean monarchs. Perhaps Korea’s greatest bibliophile, as royal patron he supported all aspects of the book: typographers, printers, authors, librarians, and lexicographers. A number of “royal” editions were published under his auspices. He... More