KOREAN PRINTING WOODBLOCKS

Types of Woodblocks

In accordance with their purpose, woodblocks are categorized as follows: woodblocks for printing, woodblocks for printing covers, woodblocks for figures, woodblocks for slogans, and woodblocks for printing stationery.

1. Woodblocks for printing

Woodblocks for printing are wooden plates prepared for printing and publishing books. Among the remaining woodblocks in Korea, woodblocks for printing books are the second largest in quantity, after woodblocks for Buddhist scriptures, and collections of literary works are the most common. Literary collections usually include: poems, autographs of notable deceased persons, charts of family trees, portraits of the deceased, pictures of tombs and other images related to the book being printed.
From the perspective of the publisher, woodblocks for printing were classified as administrative, academic or private.
Administrative texts were engraved by the central government or by local agencies for the purpose of edification, promulgation of policy, and requirements for national schools. By the 16th century, publishing books as a national project was a trend, and during the 17th to 18th centuries, local administrations and agencies emerged as the main publishers. Woodblocks for printing administrative texts were pivotal in terms of the printing culture up until the beginning of the 18th century when private engraving for printing for academies or clans began to spread. After the books were printed, the woodblocks were preserved at school libraries, shops that made moveable metal type, or sent to local county officials. Though the proportion of administrative texts was not large compared to the total number of woodblocks for printing, 17,821 plates for the Naegakjang Edition and Gyeongsang Administration Edition, preserved at the Gyujanggak Institute at Seoul National University, and approximately 5,500 plates of the Jeolla Administration Edition, preserved at the Chonbuk National University Museum, are representative of administrative text editions.
Academic texts were those engraved for printing the literary collections of scholars or textbooks at local academies. Some of the collections concerned the sages enshrined at the academies, but when the academies evolved into clan academies during the late Joseon Dynasty, the printed literary collections focused on clan ancestors. Academic texts tended to have a publication record on the last woodblock of a text which is very helpful in research. When Daewongun (Prince Daewon) took power and the academies were disbanded in the 1860s, the woodblocks for printing were moved to and preserved in private residences or nearby locations. Hence, finding ancient woodblocks at restored academies nowadays is almost impossible.
Private texts refer to woodblocks engraved by clans or individuals that were used for publishing the majority of literary collections. Sometimes, a private literary collection was published by employing a temple’s monk engravers. Nowadays, some temples continue to preserve these woodblocks because these woodblocks remained at the temple after printing, and ownership was later transferred to the temple. The remaining woodblocks for printing were preserved at academies, clan shrines or primary clan residences. The storage conditions varied with the location. Some woodblocks were well-preserved in adequate storage facilities, but most were not preserved well and suffered damage from insects, dampness and cracking, in addition to some going missing or being stolen.

Toegye Collection of Works
Toegye Collection of Works
Edition of 1600, 55.9×19.8×3.0cm,
Dosan Academy. First printed
edition of Toegye Collection of
Works. Donated by Dosan
Academy, Possessed by ACKS.
Baejayebuullyak
Baejayebuullyak
1460, 61.4×22.0×4.0cm,
Seonam family of Miryang Bak
Clan, Treasure No. 917.
Currently possessed by ACKS.
Genealogy of Andong Gwon
Genealogy of Andong Gwon
Clan
18th century,
64.0×24.0×2.4cm, Grand
gathering of Andong Gwon
Clan. Currently possessed
by ACKS.

2. Woodblocks for slogans

Woodblocks for slogans were manufactured for printing poems, sayings and various warnings with high literary value. Various types of original works were engraved inversely on woodblocks just like woodblocks for printing texts. These woodblocks were categorized according to content: woodblocks for poems, woodblocks for verses, woodblocks for autographs of departed persons, and woodblocks for warnings. Woodblocks for collections of master calligraphers’ works also belong in this category.

Nojeongseogyeol

Nojeongseogyeol Engraved in 1943, 55.0×23.0×3.0cm. Donated by Sou head family of Jinju Gang Clan. Currently possessed by ACKS.

Quite frequently, texts were engraved inversely. Woodblocks for slogans are valuable resources for research into fashionable writing styles of the past. As the original calligraphy style must be accurately reproduced, a highly advanced level of engraving skill was required

Autograph of Kim Jong-jik
Autograph of Kim Jong-jik
Autograph of Kim Jong-jik
Autograph of Kim Jong-jik
Autograph of Kim Jong-jik
Autograph of Kim Jong-jik
Autograph of Kim Jong-jik
Autograph of Kim Jong-jik


3. Woodblocks for figures and for printing covers

Woodblocks for figures were engraved with pictures or patterns (also referred to as woodblocks for pictures or images). They were used for printing: maps, stationery and book covers; embroidery patterns used on wrapping cloths, duvets, bolster covers; emblems on official robes; talismans; and portraits of the deceased. As such, all woodblocks engraved with pictures (without letter) are included under this category.

Embroidery plate for chest and back

Embroidery plate for chest and back 48.0×20.5×1.2cm. Possessed by ACKS. A plate embroidered with cranes and tigers, used by officials during the Joseon Dynasty.

Historical Map of Ancient and Current Chinese Dynasties

Historical Map of Ancient and Current Chinese Dynasties 111.0×125.5×4.0cm, Donated by Byeonggok head family of Andong Gwon Clan. Currently possessed by ACKS. A map which recorded the history and royal genealogy of Korea, China and neighboring countries. The map showed the time of Dangun, the beginning of Korean history, at the same time period of the Yao Dynasty of China, which reflects the independent historical view of the author.

Samjaebu
Samjaebu 26.0×20.3×3.3cm.
Possessed by Yeppuri Folk Museum.
Talisman plate 2
Talisman plate 2
26.4×69.6×1.3cm. Pos-
sessed by Yeppuri Folk
Museum.
Talisman plate 1
Talisman plate 1
1.8×6.0×1.5cm. Possessed
by Yeppuri Folk Museum.

Poeun Collection of Works

Poeun Collection of Works Engraved in 1866, 56.8×20.9×3.0cm. Donated by Imgo Academy of Yeongil Jeong Clan, Currently possessed by ACKS.

Sagyeokjaunhakmunpan

Sagyeokjaunhakmunpan Late Joseon Dynasty, 87.0×20.5×2.5cm.

Woodblock for cover printing
Woodblock for cover printing
Late Joseon Dynasty,
54.5×20.2×3.0cm. Donated by
Namchanggong sect of Gimhae Kim
Clan. Currently possessed by ACKS.
Sagyeokjabaekmullyongmunpan
Sagyeokjabaekmullyongmunpan
Late Joseon Dynasty,
60.5×33.0×1.8cm. Donated by
Mansan family of Jinju Gang Clan.
Currently possessed by ACKS.

Woodblocks used to print book covers and pictures first appeared in the Goryeo Dynasty with the growing popularity of the “Seonjangbangchaek Edition,” and they continued to be made throughout the Joseon Dynasty. The patterns of the lotus and Buddhist cross (manja) are believed to have originated as designs on woodblocks to print Buddhist scriptures. Though they are extremely rare, some of these woodblocks had information about publishing records and/or storage locations. However, accurately confirming a manufacturing period for most of them has proven difficult.
Paper, hemp cloth and silk were often used as materials for book covers in Korea. However, jangji (thick Korean paper) was most commonly used. Jangji was dyed with gardenia seeds, after which it was placed over a woodblock to print the cover. Afterward, the cover was coated with beeswax and strongly rubbed with a rolling stone so that the cover would display the engraved patterns on the woodblock. When a multi-layered cover was compressed and the oil from the beeswax permeated the cover, the book cover would portray a visual beauty as well as protect the inner pages of the book. These woodblocks for cover printings were produced solely in Korea, not in China or Japan.

4. Woodblocks for stationery

Woodblocks for stationery were made to print patterned stationery. Usually, the “four gracious plants” or other subjects were engraved in reverse on a woodblock, and the subject matter of the pictures was decided by the owner’s temperament and tastes. Occasionally, letters were used instead of pictures, and some woodblocks were used to print designs on envelopes. This reflects the composure and aesthetics of classical scholars who knew how to express sentiment and dignity on a sheet of stationery.

Woodblock for letter paper

Woodblock for letter paper Late Joseon Dynasty, 61.0×35.7×1.4cm. Donated by Chunujae family of Andong Gwon Clan. Currently possessed by ACKS.

go top