Different editions of Samguk Yusa
Early-Joseon Dynasty editions
- Pareun edition : The oldest edition (early 15th century). This is a copy of Samguk Yusa from Professor Sohn Pow-key’s personal collection (only Volumes 1 and 2 from Book 1 remain). The original copy was donated to the Yonsei University Museum.
- Seoknam edition : This edition was previously owned by Seoknam Song Seok-ha. Only Part 1 and Volume 1 of the entire book remains. Its current whereabouts is unknown. A copied manuscript is stored in the Central Library of Korea University.
- Songeun and Haksan editions : Only Book 2 (Volumes 3, 4, 5) remains. Volume 3 is missing its first six chapters, whereas Volume 5 is missing its last four chapters. Previously owned by “Songeun” Lee Byeong-jik (1896-1973), this edition is now owned by his grandson, Kwak Yeong-dae. A copied manuscript is stored in the Central Library of Korea University.
- Beomeosa edition : Only Volumes 4 and 5 of Book 2 remain. Volume 5 is missing chapters 26 and 27. It is archived in the Beomeosa Temple Seongbo Museum.
- Jo Jong-eop edition : This edition is part of Jo Jong-eop’s collection, and only Volume 2 of Book 1 remains. Although it is presumed to have been stolen, an earlier copy of the edition remains. Of the 49 chapters in Volume 2, Chapter 9 was missing but was supplemented with a copy. Also, the latter part of Chapter 49 is missing. Compared to the Nisan edition, the Jo Jong-eop edition has fewer missing parts, so it is presumed to be a copy from an earlier period.
- Nisan edition : Only Volume 2 of Book 1 remains. This edition has four missing chapters out of 49 chapters: Chapters 17, 18, 19, and 20. The word endings near the gutter (center) of the book appear narrow in parts, which is sometimes seen in manuscripts from the Goryeo dynasty, and the naming taboo is inconsistent. The original copy is stored in the Sung Am Archives of Classical Literature.
Mid-Joseon Dynasty editions
- Jungjong Imsinbon : This edition features Volume 5 of Book 2 edited by Yi Gye-bok who served as the Gyeongju Buyun in 1512 CE (the 7th year of King Jungjong's reign). Although there are some omissions in lines 8-13 of the epigraph at the end of the Volume, the manuscript remains largely intact. At the time, there were old wooden tablets of Samgukbonsa (Samguk Sagi) and Yusa in Gyeongju-bu. But with time, the wear and tear became so severe that only four to five characters in each line were legible. Thus, the complete copies were widely sought and brought to Kwon Ju, who was serving as the Seongju Moksa, and Yi Gye-bok was able to publish a complete edition. At the time, out of the 290 book tablets, 40 were used as is to print the new edition. The reason why characters from each tablet differ in shape is because they were distributed across different villages and towns to be carved. Also, two different techniques were used - Bokgak and Pilseobogak - to produce the plates, which added to the inconsistency. Although the book tablets commissioned by Yi Gye-bok appear to have been kept safe in Gyeongju-bu until the mid-19th century, their whereabouts are unknown today. Several printed copies of the Jungjong Imjin edition have managed to survive (some remain in Korea, while others are abroad).
- Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies edition (National Treasure No. 306-2) : This edition was previously bought and owned by Hwang Ui-don, an independent bibliographer, right after the Korean War. It then became the property of Jeon Hyeong-pil, and was ultimately donated to Seoul National University. Although it is a complete copy, there are some minor corrections. In 1973, the National Culture Promotion Association reduced the collection at Seoul National University by half and reprinted it. The hardcover version has a headnote by Lee Dong-hwan, and a new appendix featuring “Gyunyeojeon” and “Hwangnyongsa Gucheungtap Chaljubongi.”
- Mansongmungo edition : This is the complete edition previously owned by “Mansong” Kim Wan-seop. It is a valuable copy that is close to its original form as there are no corrections or added strokes. It is currently stored in the Central Library of Korea University. The Mansongmungo edition was reduced and reprinted in 1983 by the Central Library of Korea University. During this process, as an appendix, the manuscripts held by the Central Library of Korea University i.e. the Seoknam edition and Songeun edition, were added to the edition.
- Hosamungo edition : This edition was looted by Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. It is now kept in Nagoya, Japan.
- Kandake edition : This edition was looted by Ukita Hideie during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592.
- Sunam Sutaek edition : This edition is a complete copy featuring all five Volumes. It was printed within 32 years after the publication of Yi Gye-bok’s edition. It was acquired and owned by Kim Yeon during the reign of King Jungjong, then was retouched in the 18th century by “Sunam” An Chong-bok. Imanishi Ryu purchased the manuscript in Insa-dong and has kept it since 1916. He then donated it to the Tenri Central Library where it is kept as a “valued” copy. In 1926, the Sunam edition was reduced and reprinted by the Literature Department of the Kyoto Imperial University, and in 1932, the Classic Publishing Society published the Sunam edition in its original size in two books - one is a photoprint edition, the other is a single-page edition. In 1964, the Institute of Oriental Culture at Gakushuin University in Japan reduced and reprinted the edition published by the Classic Publishing Society.
- Gwangmunhoe edition : This edition was part of Choe Nam-seon's personal collection (incomplete edition). It is currently stored at the Korea University library.
- Yujeomsa edition : This edition (incomplete edition) was taken to Japan by Akira Watanabe.
Printed editions
- Todaibon edition : Published in 1904 by the Department of Literature at Tokyo Imperial University.
- Sokjanggyeong edition : A corrected edition of the Todaibon was included in the preface of the Sokjanggyeong Jinjachansulbu.
- Gyemyeong edition : This edition was edited by Choe Nam-seon and included in “Gyemyeong” volume 18 (1927).
- Others
- Sinjeung edition (Choe Nam-seon, Samjungdang, 1943·1946)
- Jeungbo edition (Minjungseogwan, 1954)
- Daejeongsinsudaejanggyeong edition (1927)
- Choson Dynasty History Association edition (1928)
- Complete Works of Korean Buddhism (Dongguk University Press, Volume 6 of the Complete Book of Korean Buddhism, 1984).
