Donation Certificates Presented to Donors Lee Hunsang, Kang Nahyun, and Jung Hyuncheol
The Value of Documentary Heritage Preserved by a Master of Anthropology and a Scholar of Traditional Medicine
The Graduate School of Korean Medicine at Busan National University has received a donation of 157 old Korean medicine books, including "Donguibogam" and "Jinyangsinbang," both representative medical texts from the Joseon Dynasty.
On May 9, Busan National University presented certificates of donation to donors Lee Hunsang, Kang Nahyun, and Jung Hyuncheol at the main conference room of the Graduate School of Korean Medicine on the Yangsan campus, the university announced on May 13.
Lee Hunsang, an honorary professor at Dong-A University, and Kang Nahyun donated 142 old books, including 25 volumes of "Donguibogam." These books were collected and preserved during his lifetime by the late Kang Shinpyo, a distinguished professor at Inje University and a pioneer in Korean cultural anthropology. Kang Nahyun is his daughter, and Professor Lee is known to have maintained an academic relationship with Professor Kang.
Professor Kang laid the foundation for cultural anthropology by presenting original theories such as "Inhak" (the study of humanity) and the "Daedae Cultural Grammar," and he also participated in the cultural events of the Seoul Olympics. His legacy has been donated to various institutions, including the National Folk Museum of Korea, the Academy of Korean Studies, and Inje University.
The 142 books donated to Busan National University were actually used by Professor Kang's grandfather and father. In accordance with the late professor's will, which requested that the materials be donated to Gyeongnam or Busan, the collection has now been made public. Busan National University plans to actively utilize these materials as research resources for future scholars.
In addition, Jung Hyuncheol donated 15 old books, including a handwritten copy of "Jinyangsinbang." This collection contains practical Korean medicine knowledge, books, and scrolls that were used at Danmok Oriental Medicine Clinic, which was operated by his maternal grandfather, the late Ha Manwoo, in Daegok-myeon, Jinju, Gyeongnam.
Ha Manwoo was a Confucian scholar and an expert in herbal medicine preparation. He developed digestive medicine and distributed it to his neighbors, earning a reputation as a renowned local physician. He gained fame for prescriptions such as "Sochehwan" and also served as the head of Danmok-ri, contributing to the local community.
Jung Hyuncheol, who majored in classical Chinese literature in graduate school, recognized the value of old documents and persuaded his mother, Ha Bongjeong, CEO of Ha Bongjeong Food, to agree to this donation.
A representative from Busan National University stated, "The donated artifacts will be exhibited at the Museum of the History of Korean Medical Education and actively used as materials for academic research and education. Given their significant historical and medical value, their importance will be highlighted in various ways in the future."
Busan National University receives a donation of 157 old books including "Donguibogam" and takes a commemorative photo. Photo by Busan National University
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