WOODBLOCK, Korean.

Carved on two sides & with the orig. wooden handles, containing parts of Sajŏng munjip 思亭文集 [The Collected Works of Thinking Pavilion], by Ch’oe Ki-dae 崔基大, carved with classical Chinese text.

Woodblock (198 x 400 mm.) & handles. [Korea: 1916].

Woodblocks are invaluable historical artifacts in East Asian history, serving as key instruments in the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The printing process involves brushing ink onto the carved surface, pressing a sheet of paper onto it, and rubbing it with a printing pad or brush to transfer the inked negative impression. Korea has a long and distinguished history of woodblock printing, with remarkable achievements such as the Tripitaka Koreana (13th century). Nevertheless, only a few original woodblocks have survived, as they were vulnerable to wear, war, and environmental decay. Extant examples, extremely rare outside of Korea, are valuable for understanding early modern printing culture, scholarly networks, and book history.

Our woodblock, containing the 9th and 10th leaves of the second kwŏn of Sajŏng munjip, preserves a section from the collected works of Chosŏn Confucian scholar Ch’oe Ki-dae (pen name Sajŏng, Thinking Pavilion, 1750-1813). The 9th leaf marks the transition to “Miscellaneous Essays” 雜著, while the 10th leaf features “Farewell to the Honorable Sŏng” 拜別成侯詞, a poignant tribute to a local magistrate, Sŏng Tae-jung, upon his departure from office. Compiled and printed by Ch’oe’s descendant Ch’oe Jae-ik in 1916, Sajŏng munjip consists of four kwŏn in two volumes and is notable for its unpretentious yet elegant poetic sensibility.

The block is in fine condition. Each handle has manuscript titles. Original woodblocks are exceedingly difficult to find outside Korea. Only Harvard and UC Berkeley hold printed copies of this work.

Price: $6,500.00

Item ID: 11239