Korean Moveable Types
- Artifact 1 -
"Jikji Geumsok Hwalja Inpan (Jikji Printing Blocks with Movable Metal Types)"
This is a printing block created by Yim In-Ho. Before the creation of metal types, wooden types were used to print materials such as speeches, letters, and books. The print functions the same way as a stamp does and records any information needed. The development from wooden types to metal types occurred mainly because of durability purposes. Wooden types were typically carved out and not no two types were alike, which interfered with uniformity. Metal types were created using a traditional molding process and lasted much longer. The goal of these types were to efficiently transcribe and send information (Cheongju Early Printing Museum, n.d.).
-Artifact 2-
"Songjo Pyojeon Chongnyu (General Memorials an Addresses to Song Dynasty Emperors)"
This artifact is a printed traditional Korean letter which was printed using a metal type, there is no specific author mentioned. This letter was in memorial of an Emperor. The "font" of this letter is very clean and precise which was a noticeable difference when the switch from wooden types to metal types occurred. This artifact, again, was created using a traditional molding method which involved bee wax. The purpose of the metal type again presents itself because I would assume that to those that understand Korean, this is extremely understandable printing- which is important if it was being written for an emperor (Cheongju Early Printing Museum, n.d.).
"Sinpyeon Sanhak Gyemong (Introduction to Computational Studies, New Edition)"
This final artifact is a book which was printed about computational studies by Zhu Shijie. The text includes measurements and formulas for calculating the area of grain fields, and conversion methods between different units. This book was printed using metal types and serves the purpose to help farmers calculate measurements for crop fields. This book is one of many examples showing the benefits of the moveable type's widespread use. The types helped to transcribe this book which would potentially help many farmers calculate measurements for their crop fields and optimize their farming (Cheongju Early Printing Museum, n.d.).
Reference
Cheongju Early Printing Museum. (n.d.). The invention of movable metal type: Goryeo technology and Wisdom - Cheongju Early Printing Museum - Google Arts & Culture. Google. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-invention-of-movable-metal-type-goryeo-technology-and-wisdom/jQLywilonG6kIg
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