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Yonggam sugyeong (The Handy Mirror in the Dragon Shrine), Volumes 3-4

용감수경 권3~4 ( 龍龕手鏡 卷三~四 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Yonggam sugyeong (The Handy Mirror in the Dragon Shrine), Volumes 3-4
Quantity 1 Item
Designated Date 1997.01.01
Age The 11th century (Goryeo)
Address Korea University Library, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

This is a dictionary of Chinese characters compiled by Xingjun (a Chinese Buddhist monk) in 997 (the 15th year of King Shengzong, Liao Dynasty). Unlike other typical dictionaries in China, this dictionary has an extensive list of Chinese characters both in full and simplified forms; they are laid out according to the order of each category first, and also to the order of each sound within a same gaksu to add flexibility in looking up a character. It is not clear when this dictionary was introduced to Korea, except that Gwon Deuk-ryeong was in charge of the printing in Naju area. It is the only material available in Korea to study phonological structure used in the Liao Dynasty, and its value as a dictionary, offering 26430 main characters and 163170 annotations, is immeasurable.