Box Made from Hangul Printing Blocks

Unknown artist

Taishō ・20th

Kyoto National Museum

A red lacquered box made from 18th or 19th century Korean Hangul printing blocks, featuring text from a Joseon-dynasty heroic novel. The Hangul printing blocks used to make this redlacquered box were carved in Wanju (Jeonju), Korea, during the 18th or 19th century. The text is from a Joseon-dynasty heroic novel called Ryu Chungryeol jeon. Many old Korean printing blocks were later lost to war, making this box particularly precious. A similar box is preserved in a Korean museum.