Home > Metal Printing > Development of Movable Metal Type Printing > Metal types in Korea dynasty

Metal types in Korea dynasty

Metal type printing of Korea dynasty was invented for the first time in the world, so the sizes and shapes of the types were not even. The thickness of the strokes were also not same, and the strokes were often not appeared perfectly. The uneven types were arranged forcibly, so the printed letters were meshed. Between the lanes, letters were hung over, and the lines were not arranged well. The explanations about metal types of Korea dynasty are below;

仝Jeungdoga々types

"Jeungdoga" types are the metal types that were used to print 害誤探鉢雌勺装亀亜. 害誤狛探識紫 discoursed the truth of Zen Buddhism profoundly in this book, and the first edition of this book was published in Julgangsung in China in 1076. The first edition of Song dynasty was introduced into Korea, and Koreans printed by metal types and spreaded out.

However, neither metal types nor the books does not exist, so there is no proof to know when they were printed by whom or where.

The sizes of the metal types were 1.0 1.0Н, but the number of letters is not known. Only through the reprinted editions, the time when the books were printed can be assumed. At the end of reprinted 害誤探鉢雌勺装亀亜, there was a record stating " ..collecting craftsmen and printing using metal types to hand down for long-Yi Choi wrote in september, 1239."

Through this record, this edition was reprinted when Monggo invaded in september, 1239. Therefore, it can be knowb that the original first edition had already been printed in 1232, Kojong the 19th year in Gaekyung before the capital was moved to Kangwhado.

仝Sangjungyemoon々types

These types were used to print Sangjungyemoon. This book was about courtesy written by 17 civil officers including Yooneui Choi. They collected all kinds of ways about courtesy of all ages under the king's order, but this book does not exist.

In Kyubo Lee's 疑厩戚雌厩増, it says that Sangjungyemoon was much damaged so it was hard to understand the contents. Therefore, Chunghun Choi, Yi Choi's father, had it completed and printed 2 more issues. He had one in his house and placed the other in Yegwan, but the one in Yegwan was lost when the capital was moved to Kangwhado. Therefore, 28 issues of Yi Choi's edition was reprinted by metal type printing to spread to several offices and use them.

It was not known when Sangjungyemoon was printed. It is assumed that it was printed between 1234 and 1241 considering facts that Yi Choi was appointed in 1234, Kojong the 21st year, and Kyubo Lee died in 1241 Kojong 28th year. This is told only through some records, but there is no proof to know the sizes and the numbers of the types.

Heungduksa types

These are types that were used to print Jikji and Jabidoryangchambubjibhae in Heunduksa in Chungju. The size of the big type is 1.0 1.0Н and the small type is 1.0 0.5Н, but the numbers of letters is not known.

Bakwonwhasang's jikji that is composed of four books, and the latter book of the edition without the first chapter are kept in France National Library. This 38 page book is the oldest metal type printed book. In the end of Jikji, there is an appendix named 識韻張鰍舛紫張杉析短爽鯉須被幾紫爽切昔獣, so it is known that Jikji was printed in July 1377, Woowang the 3rd year in Heungduksa.

It was proved that Jabidoryangchambubjibhae was metal type printed in Heungduksa by the discovery of the reprinted edition. There is no evidence to know when this reprinted edition was published, but it is obvious that the metal printed edition was printed in Heungduksa. Through Jikji and Jabidoryangchambubjibhae, Heungduksa types are not even and rough, and the skills of making printing plates seem unripe compared to Jeungdoga types made in central administrative office.

Making the metal types and printing was all interrupted by Won's humiliating ruling at that time, but Heungduksa kept making metal types and printing books in this situation. This is very meaningful since Heungduksa continued Korea's printing history even if its types were not perfect.

Bok types and Jun types of Korea Dynasty

In National Central Museum, there is one Bok type that was unearthed from a personal grave in Gaesung and, in Gaesung Museum, one Jung type that was unearthed from Sinbongmoon where Korea's kings' graves were.

There are no records who made them for what and how. However, they proves that books were published by metal type printing in this time.

The size of the Bok type is 1.0 1.0Н, and this type is not considered as a general one since it is not found even in the dictionary. The ways of making types is very unskillful, so the shapes are not even. The strokes are also rough, and the back side of the type is hollowed elliptically.

The shapes of letters are a kind of Songsul-type, and it has 50.9% of copper, 0.7% of zinc, 28.5% of tartar, 10.2% of lead, and 2.2% of iron. There is no detailed record about Bok type, but Bok type and Jun type are assumed to be made in the end of Korea dynasty.