A poetic miracle to calm the sea

Name: Manuscript from the East Sea Stele in Cheokju

Period: Joseon, 1661

Status: National Treasure No. 592

According to legend, Heo Mok (1595-1682), a magistrate in Cheokju (present-day Samcheok, Gangwon), performed something of a miracle when he inscribed the poem “An Ode to the East Sea” on this stele. The legend says that the poem calmed the rough tidal waves of the sea, which had up to that point devastated the coastal areas under his jurisdiction.

In Heo’s time, the calligraphy was criticized for being grotesque. But nowadays, Heo is known for transforming Korean calligraphy beyond the techniques handed down from China.

His work is highly esteemed as an example of 17th century calligraphy and its exquisite strokes are what make the calligraphy extraordinary.

*The photos and text for Treasure Trove are provided by the National Museum of Korea. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.