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The beginning of metal type printing

Metal types are made for letterpress printing by melting iron and pouring into molds. Metal types are divided into 汐醗切(犖﨨蹼), 尻醗切(肄﨨蹼), 疑醗切(壘﨨蹼), 旦醗切(�﨨蹼) by their material characters.

Koreans invented metal type printing for the first time. In Korea dynasty, our ancestors invented metal type printing for the first time in the world and used it practically. However, the beginning of this invention was not really recorded in documents, so it has been variously brought up when it was invented. It has been said that it was invented in the period of Moonjong(1047~1083), Sookjong the 7th year(1102), Yejong the 15th year(1120), Chungyulwang the 23rd year(1297) or Kojong the 19th year(1232).

The theory of the invention in Moonhjong period

This theory is based on analysis of the part in Dakakguksa Euichon's epitaph. The part is written, "...established 'Kyojangsa' in 'Hungwangsa' and asked prominent men of the time to correct mistakes and carve it again. Then, it had been completed in less than a month." In this sentence, some scholars misinterpret " correct mistakes and carve it again" to some other words (homophones) meaning metal types, so they think that metal type printing was invented in this time.

Theory of the invention in Sookjong period

This theory is based on the part of 'Sookjong December, the 7th year' in "Koreasajulyo", it is written, "...will make 15000 Jujun for Gojubub, give them to Yangbans and soldiers, and make them as privileges. I wil call this 'Haedongtongbo'.

Bok types which are kept in the national central museum are composed of 50.9% of copper, 0.7% of zinc, 28.5% of tin, 10.2% of lead, 2.2% of iron, and this composition is almost same as the composition of 'Haedongtongbo.' Therefore, some scholars regard the way of melting iron and copper, 'Gojubub,' as the way of making metal types.

Theory of invention in Yejong the 15th year period

This is based on the misinterpretation of "Yinyungbojang" which is one of two appendices of "Gomunjinbodaejun" in the early 15th century. He was sent to China and give "Yesungkangdo" to Hwejong of Song dynasty in 1124, Injong the 2nd year. It timely fits well in the point of developing metal types conditions and inventing metal types, so it was considered that metal type printing was invented at this time.

Theory of invention in Chungyulwang the 23th year(1297)

This theory is from an assumption about a book. There is a record that Byulbulwha, a chinese publisher of "Chungryangdabsunjongsimyobubmun" which is kept in Korea University's central library supported Muwang of Won dynasty with Chungsunwang of Korea dynasty, and there are some possibilities that he was sent to Korea about Chungyulwang the 23rd year (1297). Therefore, it is assumed that this book was printed at this time.

Theory of invention before 1232, Kojong the 19th year

At the end of the book, "Nammyungchunwhasangsongjeungdoga" which was reprinted from the one by metal types, there is a record saying "...collecting craftsmen and reprinting it to preserve it for long time- Choi yi wrote this in September,1239." They reprinted it in 1239 when Monggo invaded and the capital was moved to Kangwhado, so the original book of the reprinted book, which used metal type printing, was already printed in Gaegyung before the capital was moved to Kangwhado. Therefore, it could be presumed that metal type printing was invented beforehand.

害誤探鉢雌勺装亀亜 was reprinted in 1239, Kojong the 26th year, and Korean government moved the capital to Kangwhado to protect from Monggo's invasion in 1232, Kojong 19th year. Choi yi was appointed as Jingyanggong in June, 1232, Kojong the 19th year, and it must have been hard to make metal types in the temporary capital in Kangwha. Considering all these duly points, it was invented in Gaegyung before they moved the capital.

Therefore, the metal type printing issue of 害誤探鉢雌勺装亀亜 was printed before June 1232, Kojong the 19th year. About the origins of our inventing metal type printing, it should be studied with new documents and proofs, but it is the most authetic theory that metal type printing was invented in 1232, Kojong the 19th year till now.

Our metal type printing was already used in the end of Korea dynasty, and, as the result of consistent metal type printing, Seojukwon was established to take exclusive charge of metal type printing in 1392, Kongyangwang the 4th year. This can be proved by the various theories about origins of our metal type printing invention above, records from 重昔雌舛森庚降耕企遭丞因楳 in Kubo Lee's 疑厩戚雌厩増, the colophone of "Jikji," and the records about "Seojukwon" in "Koreasa".