A Study of Seal Script in the Monumental Inscriptions (題額) of the 15th and 16th Centuries: Focusing on the Geumsikjipcheop (金石集帖) in the Kyoto University Library

The Geumsikjipcheop (金石集帖), compiled by Kim Jae-ro (金在魯, 1682-1759), is a valuable source that preserves a vast corpus of seal script (篆書) materials from the Joseon dynasty. It includes the calligraphy of both renowned masters and relatively unknown scribes, making it a crucial resource for the study of Korean epigraphy and calligraphy. However, scholarship on the Geumsikjipcheop has remained limited, and in particular, comprehensive research on seal script has yet to be undertaken. This study was therefore undertaken to fill this gap. Focusing on the title inscriptions (題額) contained in the Geumsikjipcheop, this paper examines the stylistic development of seal script in the 15th and 16th centuries. To trace its origins, the study first outlines late Goryeo seal script, which was largely influenced by Yi Yang-byeong and Zhao Mengfu, and which subsequently impacted the calligraphy of early Joseon. The analysis then identifies the characteristics and historical significance of seal script styles in each century. To investigate the distinctive features of monumental inscriptions in the 15th and 16th centuries, the seal script works of calligraphers in the Geumsikjipcheop were classified and systematized. This classification enabled a comparison of stylistic features, changes across periods, and shared or divergent tendencies. The findings reveal that 15th-century seal script was divided into two major currents: small seal script (小篆) and ancient seal script (古篆). Small seal script was predominant, manifested in two distinct forms—rectangular, rigid styles and square, compact styles. The use of ancient seal script in monumental inscriptions, however, is a distinctive feature observed only in the 15th century. In contrast, 16th-century seal script remained centered on small seal script but incorporated diverse stylistic innovations. The early 16th century displays a transitional style, blending the archaic and refined influences of the 15th century, while the mid- to late 16th century saw the emergence of slender, sophisticated forms. A key figure in this transformation was Park Yeong (朴詠, ?-?), whose instructional manual Jeonjungyong (篆中庸) circulated within Joseon scholarly circles. His work played a pivotal role in defining the stylistic evolution of seal script and fostering distinctive trends in the 16th century, which are clearly reflected in the title inscriptions preserved in the Geumsikjipcheop.