Beomeosa Temple's 'Samguk Yusa Volumes 4-5' Designated as National Treasure

The Earliest Existing Printed Copy Among Similar Cultural Assets
"Well Preserved, Supplementing Damaged or Missing Parts in Other Designated Copies"
Includes Dangun Myth and Hyangga Written in Hyangchal Script

Samguk Yusa Volumes 4-5 (三國遺事 卷四∼五)

The 'Samguk Yusa Volumes 4-5 (三國遺事 卷四∼五)' located at Beomeosa Temple in Busan will be elevated to the status of a National Treasure.

On the 29th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the advance notice of upgrading this cultural asset, currently Treasure No. 419-3, to a National Treasure. An official explained the designation background, stating, "It is the earliest extant printed edition among similar cultural assets," and "its preservation condition is good, allowing it to supplement damaged or missing content in other designated editions." They added, "It is a collection of materials that can restore the lifestyle of the ancient Korean people across various fields such as religion, history, literature, language, folklore, and thought," and "considering its significance in human and cultural history, it is appropriate to widely publicize its value and ensure its preservation and management."

'Samguk Yusa' is a book regarded as a foundation for the study of ancient Korean history alongside the 'Samguk Sagi.' It was compiled by the monk Il-yeon in the 7th year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo (1281). It gathers legends related to the history and culture from Gojoseon to the Three Kingdoms period. The earliest surviving edition was carved around 1394 during the early Joseon Dynasty.

The Beomeosa-held edition, unlike the National Treasures 'Samguk Yusa Volumes 3-5 (No. 306, privately owned)' and 'Samguk Yusa Volumes 1-5 (No. 306-2, owned by Seoul National University),' which are from the same edition, is not complete (a book with all volumes intact). However, since its printing date is 1394, it is highly valued for its bibliographical significance. An official explained, "It is the only material that can supplement the missing chapters 28 to 30 from the existing designated editions," and "it allows verification of typographical errors in the 1512 edition published in the 7th year of King Jungjong." They added, "It is important for restoring the original edition and verifying authenticity by comparing it with all known Samguk Yusa editions to date."

Samguk Yusa Volumes 4?5 (三國遺事 卷四∼五)

'Samguk Yusa Volumes 4-5' is said to have been donated to Beomeosa Temple in 1907 by Oh Seong-wol (1865?1943), who served as its first head monk. It has been recognized as bibliographically important because it closely resembles the 1512 edition in terms of calligraphy, format, and line spacing. The text includes the Dangun myth and fourteen hyangga (향가, native Korean poems written in hyangchal, a Silla phonetic transcription system).

The Cultural Heritage Administration will collect opinions from various sectors for one month and finalize the designation as a National Treasure after review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

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