▲ This file photo, shows the "Guksae Daegunjubo." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)▲ This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration = Yonhap News Agency, shows the initials carved on the "Guksae Daegunjubo." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)▲ This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration = Yonhap News Agency, shows the "Gukjae Jegojibo." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)▲ This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration, shows the "Guksae Daegunjubo." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)▲ This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration, shows the cookbook "Suunjapbang." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲ This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration, shows the "Manual of the Confessional Ceremony to Amitabbh." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- Four national seals stamps crafted during King Gojong's reign at the end of the Joseon Dynasty, including the "Daegunjubo" and seven cultural assets, including "Su-un-jap-bang," a cookbook with food recipes enjoyed by nobleman's families in Andong, were designated as treasures.

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced Tuesday that it has designated "Guksae Daegunjubo," "Guksae jegojibo," "Guksae Chingmyeongjibo," "Guksae Daewonsoobo," "Suunjapbang," "Manual of the Confessional Ceremony to Amitabbh (Vol.1-5)" and others as national treasures.

The four national seals designated as treasures have records of being leaked to Japan and the U.S.. "Guksae" refer to national seals that represents national authority and are usually stamped on administrative documents."

The "Daegunjubo" at the National Palace Museum of Korea was produced on July 1, 1882 and has a silver turtle-shaped handle on its body. The national seal was originally crafted by King Gojong for diplomatic use.

When the "Guksae" was retrieved, the initials "W B. Tom," which was believed to be the name of the foreign owner, was identified under the turtle's tail, drawing the public's attention.

When Joseon signed the United States-Korea Treaty in 1882, it reportedly made six pieces of the national seals, however the artifacts, excluding the "Daegunjubo," have not been found yet.

The "Jegojibo" was completed in Sept. 19, 1897. The dragon-shaped handle has a dotted pattern and horns on the top of its head. The nose of the dragon is shaped like a cloud, and its two teeth are protruded while also biting a pearl.

The "Chingmyeongjibo" is smaller than the "Guksae Chingmyeongjibo," which is one of the ten national seals created in 1897 to be used in documents after King Gojong ascended to the throne. The production date is recorded to be Mar. 19, 1898. "Chingmyeongjibo" refers to orders issued by the emperor to officials.

"Daewonsoobo" is one of the three stamps that the Korean Empire established and produced on June 22, 1899.

The Cultural Heritage Administration stressed that the four national seals were worth preserving by designating them as treasures in that they have historical symbolism, and scarcity as cultural assets.

The first food cookbook to become a treasure was stored and prepared by three generations, from Andong Confucian scholars Kim Yu to her grandchild Kim Young, and consists of 23 pages. The title "Suun" means to have a feast.

A total of 114 food recipes are introduced in the book including 57 kinds of liquor, 14 pickled vegetables and kimchi, 9 herbs, 7 kinds of vegetables and fruit sowing and storage methods, and 5 snacks and candies. There are also other recipes from China that are recorded as well as ways noble families made food.

The "Manual of the Confessional Ceremony to Amitabbh (Vol.1-5)," located in Busan's Gobulsa Buddhist Temple, consists of a woodblock print made by Queen Dowager Jeonghui, the wife of King Sejo, after making a wish to God. The book introduces procedure of a ceremony held for people willing to reflect on their sins and pray to live in the Buddhist paradise.

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