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Independence fighter An Jung-geun’s calligraphic work on first exhibition in 107 years

Independence fighter An Jung-geun’s calligraphic work on first exhibition in 107 years

Posted March. 23, 2017 07:12,   

Updated March. 23, 2017 07:19

한국어
Calligraphic writing by anti-Japanese independence fighter An Jung-geun (1879-1910) will be on public display after it returned to Korea for the first time in over a century. His writing of words emphasizing the importance of education is cited from Mingxin baojian, an ancient Chinese book containing a collection of aphorisms and quotations form the Chinese classics and other works.

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History will exhibit the calligraphic work from Thursday to mark the 107th anniversary of his passing. The museum reportedly purchased An's work for 730 million won (651,204 U.S. dollars). He wrote the words at the Lushun Prison in March 1910, leaving his left hand printing with the tip of the ring finger cut. He died on March 26, 1910.

The calligraphic work was put on auction last year after changing hands from a Lushun Prison guard to a Japanese art collector.

The exhibition, which will be held until May 28, also features another calligraphic work by An and drawings of his trial at a Japanese court, among others.



Sun-Hee Jang sun10@donga.com