Ginyeon Pyeongo (紀年便攷) is a privately compiled historical work that combines the annalistic (pyeonnyeonche) and biographical (yeoljeonche) formats. It was compiled to provide reference materials for future generations of learners. The work covers a period of 563 years, from the fourth year of King Chungsuk of Goryeo (1367), the birth year of King Taejo of Joseon, to the thirty-fourth year of King Gojong of Joseon (1897). Extant copies of Ginyeon Pyeongo are currently preserved at the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies (Go4250-7), the National Library of Korea (Go911-21), Modeoksa Temple (Modeok-00301), and the Jangseogak Archives (K2-37).
This study examines the four extant versions of Ginyeon Pyeongo with the aim of analyzing their bibliographical relationships, focusing on the author, the background and purpose of compilation, methods of compilation, cited sources, composition, and descriptive characteristics.
The National Library of Korea copy and the Jangseogak copy contain a colophon dated 1917 written under the names “Among Jo Han-bok” (我夢趙漢復) or “Among Geosa” (我夢居士). In addition, the title pages of each volume in the Jangseogak copy explicitly identify the author as “Geumcho Park Hui-seong” (錦樵朴羲成 著). The preface reveals that the work originally consisted of five volumes, was subsequently expanded into twenty-three volumes, and was later reorganized into thirty-six volumes. Furthermore, the colophon indicates the existence of an individual known as Cheongnoeja (聽雷子) and evaluates Park Hui-seong as a person who made a significant contribution to the compilation of the work. Through the preface, colophon, and editorial principles, this study confirms the background and objectives of compilation, the methods employed, the authorship and title of the work, and its intended function as an educational and reference resource.
In addition, this study compares and analyzes the composition, cited sources, recording system, biographical figures included in the biographies, and records concerning Yi Sun-sin in the annalistic sections of each extant version. The Kyujanggak copy provides concise chronological accounts of events for each reign period, followed by records of selected individuals. In contrast, the National Library of Korea, Modeoksa, and Jangseogak copies present detailed and narrative descriptions of all chronological events for each reign period and separately organize biographical records. Notably, the later three versions include a biography of Yi Sun-sin in the Yeoljeon section. Furthermore, among the annalistic records related to Yi Sun-sin, it was confirmed that the “Haengnok” (行錄) section in Volume 9 of Yi Chungmugong Silgi (李忠武公實記), compiled in 1759, was consulted as a source.
In conclusion, an analysis of the preface, colophon, editorial principles, and the four extant versions of Ginyeon Pyeongo indicates that the original five-volume draft no longer survives. The Kyujanggak copy is regarded as a manuscript draft, the National Library of Korea copy as the complete version, and the Modeoksa copy as a transcription of the complete version. Moreover, the Jangseogak copy, previously known as a complete version, is identified as an expanded edition that includes additional materials such as the volume “Seonwon Seongye” (璿源先系).