Bill Text: CA AR105 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to Jikji Day.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 52-18-1)
Status: (Passed) 2022-06-20 - Read. Adopted. [AR105 Detail]
Download: California-2021-AR105-Introduced.html
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION
House Resolution
No. 105
| Introduced by Assembly Member Choi |
April 06, 2022 |
Relative to Jikji Day.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HR 105, as introduced, Choi.
Digest Key
Bill Text
WHEREAS, Among many brilliant cultural heritages of Korea, Jikji, which is the abbreviated title of a 14th century Korean Buddhist document, may be considered one of the most representative artifacts of Korea’s cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, Printed during the Goryeo Dynasty, Jikji is the world’s oldest extant book printed with movable metal type; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) confirmed Jikji as the world’s oldest metalloid type and included it in its Memory of the World Programme, which serves as a compendium of documents, manuscripts, and other archival holdings of universal value; and
WHEREAS, Jikji was printed in 1377 in a small temple called Heungdeoksa in Cheongju, Korea. This is 78 years earlier than Gutenberg’s “42-line Bible,” another metal type printed book; and
WHEREAS, Jikji is known as “the world’s first existing metal typeface” because it is the oldest remaining metal typeface. According to records, there were metal type printed materials prior to Jikji, but those cannot be located. Metal movable types from the Goryeo Dynasty have been excavated and studied; and
WHEREAS, The invention of the metal movable type is one of the greatest events within the past millennia and is evaluated, by some, as the greatest invention in human cultural history. The invention of metal movable type enabled the continuous and rapid printing of books, which marked an epochal turning point in the recording and dissemination of knowledge and information. It is considered to have made the greatest contribution to the development of human culture; and
WHEREAS, In Korea, an International Festival, “Jikji Korea,” and an international conference on metal printing systems are held every other year; and
WHEREAS, The content of Jikji and the greatness of the era in which the book was published is something to be proud of. It is not simply a technique for making metal movable type, but it is the essence of the excellent spirit of the Goryeo people, such as carving the Tripitaka Koreana; and
WHEREAS, The development of printing technology consists of not only the invention of type, but also the technology of paper and ink, along with the social desire for knowledge. It is this spiritual legacy we must inherit today; and
WHEREAS, The overall level of society and the spirit of the times must be preserved so that we can inherit this spiritual legacy today; and
WHEREAS, Currently, only the second volume of Jikji is preserved in the National Library of France. Since it is not loot, it cannot be returned; and
WHEREAS, The discovery of Jikji is credited to Dr. Byeong-seon Park (1928–2011), who struggled to find Jikji buried in the National Library of France and identified it as the world’s extant book from movable metal type. This discovery gave her global acclaim. Her achievements in the history of the cultural heritage restoration movement include also the discovery of the “Joseon Royal Uigwe.” She is a true patriot. For these achievements, she is revered as the “Godmother or mother of Jikji” and a “cultural independence activist.” She was buried at Seoul National Cemetery after her death; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly hereby proclaims September 4, 2022, as Jikji Day in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
