Confucian Printing Woodblocks

This documentary heritage, collectively named the “Confucian Printing Woodblocks in Korea,” comprises 64,226 hand-carved blocks used for printing 718 titles of works written during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). They have been entrusted by 305 family clans and Confucian academies.

The woodblocks are a prototype of text communication technology that enabled exploration and dissemination of ideas, engaging scholars and intellectuals across time and distances. They covered a wide range of subjects, including literature, politics, economy, philosophy, and interpersonal relations. The ultimate theme is creating ideal communities built on Confucian morality.

Registration Year: 2015
Submission Year: 2014
Submitted by: Republic of Korea
Related Committee:
Document type: Drawings

Collection locations

Media Gallery

Yeongga ji (Chronicles of Andong County).
Yeongga ji (Chronicles of Andong County).
Goedan gwanggamnok (Essay commemorating the righteous deeds of Yi Su-hyeong).
Goedan gwanggamnok (Essay commemorating the righteous deeds of Yi Su-hyeong).
Hunja baehak cheop (Album of instructions for children in the family).
Hunja baehak cheop (Album of instructions for children in the family).
Jingbirok (Wartime memoirs of Ryu Seong-ryong who served as Korea’s first state councilor during the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598).
Jingbirok (Wartime memoirs of Ryu Seong-ryong who served as Korea’s first state councilor during the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598).
Obok yeonhyeokdo (Diagrams on the rituals related to five official types of funeral attire).
Obok yeonhyeokdo (Diagrams on the rituals related to five official types of funeral attire).
Paizi libu yunlue (Baeja yebu ullyak in Korean, Rhyme Handbook of the Board of Rites).
Paizi libu yunlue (Baeja yebu ullyak in Korean, Rhyme Handbook of the Board of Rites).
Pungsan Kimssi sebo (Genealogical record of the Kim clan from Pungsan).
Pungsan Kimssi sebo (Genealogical record of the Kim clan from Pungsan).
Songjae sijip (Collection of Poems by Songjae).
Songjae sijip (Collection of Poems by Songjae).
Toegye seonsaeng munjip (Collected Writings of Master Toegye).
Toegye seonsaeng munjip (Collected Writings of Master Toegye).
Yeokhak doseol (Diagrams and explanations on the study of changes).
Yeokhak doseol (Diagrams and explanations on the study of changes).
Exterior of the archives.
Exterior of the archives.
Interior of the archives.
Interior of the archives.