KALLYE HWICH’AN 簡禮彙纂

[Compilation of Rites for the Bamboo Slips].

65 folding leaves. 4to, orig. semi-stiff wrappers (wrappers somewhat worn), old stitching. [Korea]: [1849-64].

An early, possibly first, edition of this rare anonymous manual for the general education of writers of classical Chinese from late Chosŏn Korea. The term “bamboo slips” originally referred to the material supports of writing in antiquity. In classical Chinese usage of later ages — and in this title — the phrase was used metonymically in reference to the implements and genres of classical Chinese writing.

This book covers the four “rites” of capping, marriage, funerals, and sacrifices. Each rite had specific genres associated with it, which a reader of the book would learn to practice. Ample advice is included for writing letters to parents, children, teachers, and friends — and words to use when referring to these individuals — as well as servants and slaves.

While focused on the acquisition of everyday writing skills in classical Chinese, this book brings to mind a larger genre of so-called “daily use encyclopedias” (Ch.: riyong leishu 日用類書), which flourished in East Asia from at least the 16th century onward but had older antecedents. Those books provided readers, even from lower social strata, with information for use in a variety of areas. Our book, with its national viewpoint and inclusion of elements of elite writing such as classical Chinese verse, probably envisaged a rather more elite readership, or at least one that had aspirations of social advancement.

On the basis of the phrases used in the list to refer to the Chosŏn kings and royal consorts, our book must date from between 1849 and 1864, which was the reign of King Chŏljong. Our copy is earlier than the Harvard copy (WorldCat accession number 40692963), which was printed after the death of Chŏljong, who is there listed with his temple name among the monarchs of the dynasty. In our book, he is simply listed as “the [current] king” (chusang 主上).

Very good copy.