What Did Joseon Scholars Learn from Their Teachers?... Korean Translation of "Waunongmun Gyeonsugi" Published

National Library of Korea Releases Only Existing Copy
Records of Late Joseon Scholar Hong Jiseop
Vivid Anecdotes from the Era Included

The National Library of Korea announced on December 2 that it had published "Gugyeok Waunongmun Gyeonsugi" (Translation of Waunongmun Gyeonsugi), a Korean translation of the daily records of Hong Jiseop (1754-1822), a scholar from the late Joseon Dynasty, on November 29.

Cover of "Gugyeok Waunongmun Gyeonsugi". Provided by the National Library of Korea

Hong Jiseop is regarded as a member of the Soron Ganghwa School who, during the reign of King Jeongjo, also shared views with the Noron Sipa faction. The title of the book combines the author's pen name, "Waunong" (literally, "the old man lying among the clouds"), and "Mun Gyeon Sugi" ("a record of things seen and heard"). This manuscript is a compilation of the author's observations and opinions on various events and figures he encountered.

In the preface, the author states that he wrote these records to pass on the lessons he learned from his teachers and friends to his children, hoping they would serve as a reference if his descendants faced similar situations. The main text vividly recounts anecdotes involving scholars and officials from the Soron Ganghwa School, the Noron Sipa faction, and others of the time.

Particularly notable is the contrast between the reading methods of the author's teachers, the brothers Lee Gwangyun and Lee Gwangryeo. The elder brother, Lee Gwangyun, would always read books in a set order after completing his work, enabling him to finish many volumes. In contrast, the younger brother, Lee Gwangryeo, would pick up books as he pleased, piling them up in his room, and would immerse himself in books that interested him, often reading late into the night.

Additionally, in the section of written conversations, there are exchanges between Lee Gwangryeo and his elder brother Lee Gwangyun, who had lost his hearing due to illness, communicated through writing. In the appendix "Udeukgwangyeon" ("Humble and Narrow Views"), the author refers to his own opinions as "foolish and narrow-minded," leaving words of advice for his descendants.

"Gugyeok Waunongmun Gyeonsugi" is the 17th volume in the "Korean Classical Literature Translation Series," which the National Library of Korea has been publishing since 2005. As Hong Jiseop's collected works have not survived, this volume, which contains new anecdotes about contemporary scholars, holds significant academic value.

Hyun Hyewon, Director of the Classical Literature Division at the National Library of Korea, said, "This is a resource that allows readers to easily relate to and learn from the lifestyles and ways of thinking of people from that era through engaging anecdotes. I hope this publication will encourage not only researchers but also the general public to take an interest in our classical literature."