Woodblock-printed. 56 folding leaves. Two juan in one vol. Large 8vo (310 x 210 mm.), orig. yellow patterned semi-stiff wrappers, orig. stitching. [Yŏngch’ŏn]: 1854.

First edition of this collection, including the life and writings of Cho Sang-ch’i or Jo Sang-chi 曺尙治 (fl. 1419-55), a prominent official in the early Chosŏn period. From an early age, Cho studied “writings on human nature and principle” (sŏngni chi sŏ 性理之書) — that is, Neo-Confucianism. As one text on his life put it, he “took this [Confucian] culture of ours as his personal duty.” Cho’s life was tied up with the factional... More