Classicism and Pan-Asianist Transformation in the Book Designs of Munjang and Chunchoo

This study examines the stylistic orientation of classicism and its transformation as expressed in the book designs of Munjang and Chunchoo. The book design of Munjang visualized an archaic aesthetic rooted in classical art and the spirit of traditional literati culture. In contrast, as Japan’s wartime regime intensified, the design of Chunchoo reflected a shift wherein classicism was subsumed into the visual order of Pan-Asianism. By analyzing book design as a visual medium, this study highlights the interplay between sanggojuui discourse and visual culture in colonial Korea and elucidates the relationship between modern print culture and visual politics.