Korean metal movable type
Tipos móviles metálicos coreanos
- Date
- 1234 · confidence high
- Place
- Kaesong / Cheongju, Korea (Goryeo)
- Credited to
- Kingdom of Goryeo (Sangjeong Gogeum Yemun, 1234; Jikji, 1377)
- Field
- Knowledge & symbols
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
Bronze type cast in sand moulds, used to print Buddhist and ritual texts; the Jikji (1377) is the oldest surviving book printed with metal type. It predates Gutenberg by 78 years.
There is no evidence of transmission to Europe, though some authors suggest it via Mongol trade routes.
What it led to
- the Korean state type foundry (Joseon, 1403) and mass official printing
- the hangul alphabet (1443), partly designed with printing in mind
- the belated recognition of East Asia in the history of printing
Built on
- Mugujeonggwang Great Dharani Sutrac. 704-751
- Ceramic movable typec. 1044
- Ceramic movable type
- bronze casting