Five Handwritten Works by Ahn Jung-geun Designated as National Treasures

'Inmuwonryeopilyugeunwoo'·'Iltongcheonghwagong' etc.

Ahn Jung-geun's Calligraphy 'Inmu Wonryeo Pil-yu Geunwoo'

Five calligraphy works left by independence activist Ahn Jung-geun (1879?1910) shortly before his martyrdom are now managed as nationally designated cultural treasures. On the 23rd, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the designation of 'Inmuwonryeopilyugeunwoo (人無遠慮必有近憂)', 'Iltongcheonghwagong (日通淸話公)', 'Hwanggeumbaengmanyangbulyeoilgyoja (黃金百萬兩不如一敎子)', 'Jisaininsalsinseongin (志士仁人殺身成仁)', and 'Sesimdae (洗心臺)' as treasures.

The calligraphy includes Chinese characters and a hand seal meaning "Written by Ahn Jung-geun, a Korean, in March of the Gyeongsul year at Lushun Prison." 'Inmuwonryeopilyugeunwoo' is a phrase derived from the Analects, meaning "If a person does not think far ahead, he will surely have worries nearby." Another phrase from the Analects, 'Jisaininsalsinseongin,' is interpreted as "A determined scholar and a benevolent person sacrifice themselves to achieve benevolence."

Ahn Jung-geun's Calligraphy 'Iltong Cheonghwa Gong'

'Iltongcheonghwagong,' said to have been given to a Japanese guard, is interpreted as "A person who communicated refined and pure words daily." 'Hwanggeumbaengmanyangbulyeoilgyoja' implies "One million nyang of gold is not worth teaching one son," and 'Sesimdae' refers to "a space for cleansing the mind."

The Cultural Heritage Administration explained the designation background, stating, "Each artifact shows historical significance and symbolism," and "The preservation state is good and the production period is clear." With this, the number of Ahn Jung-geun's calligraphy works designated as treasures has increased to thirty-one.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.