A draft manuscript of “Yeolha Ilgi,” written by the late Joseon Dynasty realist scholar Park Ji-won (1737-1805) shortly after returning from Qing China, has been designated as a treasure. It is praised for its significant academic value as it provides a glimpse into the original form before the final version.
On the 26th, the National Heritage Administration announced the designation of seven cultural heritage items, including the ‘Park Ji-won Yeolha Ilgi Draft Manuscript Collection’ held by the Seokjuseon Memorial Museum at Dankook University, as treasures.
After accompanying an envoy to celebrate the 70th birthday of Emperor Qianlong of Qing in 1780, Park Ji-won recorded his observations and experiences in Beijing and Rehe. The “Yeolha Ilgi,” organized in the form of a diary, contains detailed accounts of Qing’s advanced culture and his interactions with contemporary intellectuals.
The materials designated as treasures this time consist of four types in eight volumes, recognized as the earliest drafts written by Park Ji-won after returning to Korea. It is meaningful as they were compiled based on the author’s own written manuscripts.
Notably, the two books ‘Yeonhaeng Eumcheong Geon·Gon’ contain academic terms and new content related to Western Studies that do not appear in the finalized “Yeolha Ilgi,” providing clues to the author’s thinking and narrative direction before its completion.
The National Heritage Administration stated, “These materials are valuable as they allow us to identify the original form when ‘Yeolha Ilgi’ was first created and trace the process of modification and adaptation by Park Ji-won and his descendants.” They are resources that illustrate the formation process of one of the representative realistic works of the late Joseon period.
Several other cultural heritages were also designated as treasures. These include “Amitabha Buddha Preaching Painting of Hyundeungsa Temple in Gapyeong,” “Stone Vairocana Buddha Seated Statue at Jingu Temple Site in Imsil,” and “Stone Buddha Triad and Associated Artifacts of Sinhungsa Temple in Yangsan.”
The Amitabha Buddha Preaching Painting at Hyundeungsa Temple in Gapyeong, dating back to 1759, depicts the scene of Amitabha preaching to his followers in paradise. It is the earliest among similar paintings in the Seoul and Gyeonggi region.
The Stone Vairocana Buddha Seated Statue at the Jingu Temple site in Imsil is estimated to have been made in the late 9th century. It is a rare example in the Jeolla region, providing physical evidence of the propagation of late Unified Silla Buddhist art and statue styles.
The Stone Buddha Triad at Sinhungsa Temple in Yangsan was completed and enshrined in 1682. Various internal enshrinement artifacts are considered crucial for understanding the enshrinement rituals of the late 17th century.
Additionally, three temple pavilions from the late Joseon era—Sungkyung Pavilion of Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, Deokhwi Pavilion of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, and Cheonbo Pavilion of Yongjusa Temple in Hwaseong—were also designated as treasures. These temple pavilions, placed in front of the main Buddha hall, served as venues for ceremonial and preaching activities. They form an architectural axis within the temple layout, stretching from the one-pillar gate, King of Heaven’s Gate (Geumgang Gate), to the main Buddha hall.
With this designation, the number of existing temple pavilions recognized as treasures has increased to seven.