Metal Printed ¡¸Jikji¡¹ was published in Hungdeok
Temple in 1377(The 3rd year of the reign of King Woo)
This printed book is the oldest Metal Printed Book among existing
books, and registered in Memory of the World in 2001.
Originally it consisted of two volumes, the first and last volume,
but the first volume is not handed down, and only the last volume,
with the first page torn off, is kept in Manuscrit Orianteaux of
France National Library.
The printed book of the last volume of ¡¸Jikji¡¹ is Sajudanbyun, and
Bankwang is not obviously know, and there is a limiting circle.
The number of letters in a line of Banyup is 11 lines and 18-20
letters, and Jumoon is double lines. There is no end of a word on
the board, and the title of the board is ¡¸Jikji¡¹ The heading of
the book is not known and the ending title is ¡¸Baekun Hwasang
Chorok Buljo Jikji Simche Yojol¡¹.
The size of the book is 24.6 x 17.0 cm. The paper is very slight
and white. The whole text is doubly folded very slightly.
The cover looks re-made. The title of ¡¸Jikji¡¹ also seems to be
written with an indian ink after the original. The cover says in
French "This is the oldest Printed Book with molded type." with
the chronicle of 1377 written by Maurice Courant.
The characteristics showed in Metal Printed ¡¸Jikji¡¹ are ¨ç The
lines are not straight, but askew, and some of them are slant. ¨è
The difference of the thickness of ink color showed on drawn
letter paper is large, and spots often occurs. ¨é Even some letters
such as Day(ìí) or One(ìé) are written reversely, and some other
letters were not printed out completely. ¨ê The same typed letters
are not showed on the same paper, but the same typed letters are
written on the other paper. ¨ë There are also blurs and spots
around letters.
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Metal printed book
