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The unique exhibit was recently added to the Contemporary museum of calligraphy collection of rare books. Now everyone in Moscow can see the oldest printed book in the world.
Most people think that was Johannes Gutenberg who first printed a book. Not too long ago people were sure the first printed book was the so-called “Gutenberg Bible” printed in Germany in the 15 century. As it turned out the first printed books was created in Korea in 1377 with a movable metal type. Jikji is the abbreviated title of a Korean Buddhist document, whose full title can be translated “The Monk Baegun's Anthology of the Great Priests”. UNESCO confirmed Jikji as the world oldest metalloid type. Jikji was published in Heungdeok Temple in 1377 and written by the Buddhist monk Baegun, who served as the chief priest of Anguk and Shingwang temples in Haeju, and was published in two volumes in Seongbulsan in 1372.
In early April the General Affairs Administration Assistant Director Cheongju museum Shin Chun-Kyun and the project Monitor Kim Beyong-Gi have visited the Contemporary museum of calligraphy. The honorable guests examined the museum’s exposition and handed a real valuable gift – a master copy of the ancient book, that now has only 39 pages. The same copy is demonstrated at the Cheongju Early Printing Museum in Korea, and the original is kept in the National library of France.
A replica of a book printed in 14 century
Cheongju Early Printing Museum Assistant Director Shin Chun-Kyun
Kim Beyong-Gi
Guests seeing the “Fruit” artwork by Kim Jong Chil
Handing of the first printed book copy
A page from “Jikji” book
First metal artificial script, 14 century
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