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A Research on the Organization, Functions and Operation of the Central Printing Office in the Joseon Period

Kim, Sung-Soo 1

1청주대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

In this research, the organization, functions and operations of Gyoseogwan(校書館) as the central government printing office in the Joseon Period is comprehensively investigated. First, the organization of Gyoseogwan and its changes are as follows: 1) Gyoesogam(校書監: Gyoseogwan) was first established as the government organization on the Third Level of the official rank where 15 civil ministers worked. Its name was changed into Gyoseogwan and its organization was strengthened with the merger into Sejeokwon(書籍院) in 1401. 2) In 1460, Jujaso(鑄字所) then abolished was merged into Gyoseowan which became the government organization of the Second Rank in 1461. 3) In 1466 Gyoseogwan whose name was changed into Jeongyoseo(典校署), was downgraded to the organization on the Fifth Rank. In 1471, Gangyeong- Dogam(刊經都監) then abolished was merged into Gyoseoqwan without any upgrade in its Rank. 4) In 1484, Jeongyoseo was renamed Gyoseogwan, and again upgraded into the Third Rank. The organization of Gyoseogwan was finally established as the Third Rank in 1485, with the publication of 「Gyeongguk Daejeon(經國大典)」. Second, the functions of Gyoseogwan and its changes are as follows: The functions of Gyoseogwan encompassed ① printing and distribution of books, ② supervision of woodblocks, collections and movable types, ③ supervision of official seals, incenses and prayers, ④ casting of movable types, ⑤ other miscellaneous duties. Especially it is confirmed that printing books with woodblock carved in local provinces and held by Gyoseogwan and distributing them was the core function. In this chapter, it is also maintained that the function of casting movable types should be added. Third, the operations of Gyoseogwan was investigated in this research. With its main function of publishing books, it seems that Gyoseogwan was both directly and indirectly involved with most government publications during the whole period of the Joseon Dynasty.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.