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Examples
of
Distortions
U.S.: ¡°The metal typefaces which had been first
invented in China were actually used first by Koreans.¡± (Secondary School
History, World History, Prentice Hall, 1992.)
¡°The metal
prints were first invented in China in about 13th century and the
technology was spread to Korea and Japan¡± (Secondary School Social Studies,
Global Studies II, Barrons, 1993.)
Comment
Ancient Koreans strove to preserve
information by inscribing on rock and with the use of wood block printing. During the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C-A.D. 935),
Buddhist scriptures were printed with wood blocks. The Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392) also endeavored
to print many books which were kept in the royal library for the use of students
and scholars.
In the 11th century,
Goryeo printed numerous volumes of Buddhist scriptures using wood blocks. However, wood blocks were not efficient in
producing a large number of copies in a short period of time to fulfill the
demand for books. In the 12th
century, bronze type was invented after Goryeo lost countless volumes due to
fire during wartime. Goryeo needed to
meet the demand for the quick reprinting of a large number of books for a
relatively small number of people. The
invention of metal type was revolutionary in that it was more efficient and
allowed for the quick reproduction of documents.
In 1234, a book entitled Gogeum
sangjeong yemun(Manual of Ancient and Modern Rituals) was printed with metal
type during and invasion by the Mongols.
It is believed that this book was the first material in the world printed
with movable metal type, but it is difficult to prove as no copy remains
today. However another scripture
entitled
Buljo jikji simche yojeol (The
Selected Sermons of Buddhist Sages and Seo Masters) was printed with movable
metal type in 1377. It is preserved at
the French National Library. In 1972,
this scripture was recognized internationally as the oldest extant work printed
with movable metal type.
The advancement of Goryeo printing
technology resulted in the improvement in the skill of producing long-lasting,
high absorbent paper, as well as high quality ink sticks. Te quality of Goryeo
ink sticks was famous, and they were even exported to China during the Sung
Dynasty. Such advanced technologies
contributed greatly to literary and academic advancement as
well.
It was long thought that the first
metal type was invented by Johannes Gutenberg (1397-1468) in about 1450. However, not many seem to appreciate the
contribution made by Goryeo¡¯s advanced printing technology to the development of
printing and the advancement of culture
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