Culture1592 – 1598

Nanjung Ilgi (War Diary of Yi Sun-sin)

Also called: War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin

The diary Yi Sun-sin kept in camp through the seven years of the Imjin War; Memory of the World since 2013.

Yi Sun-sin’s Nanjung ilgi with his letters and the Imjin jangcho — a National Treasure
Yi Sun-sin’s Nanjung ilgi with his letters and the Imjin jangcho — a National Treasure

Korean Cultural heritage Administration · Public domain · Source

Yi Sun-sin kept this diary from the first month of 1592 until the eleventh month of 1598, just before the Battle of Noryang. He wrote plainly of battles and weather, drills and supplies, his men and the common people, his longing for his mother and family, and even his quarrels with Won Gyun. The name "Nanjung ilgi" (Diary in the Midst of War) was given when the Complete Works of Yi Sun-sin were compiled under King Jeongjo.

The seven autograph volumes, together with his letters and the Imjin jangcho (copies of his reports to the court), are a National Treasure kept at Hyeonchungsa in Asan. Written by a commander in the field, it is a key source for the Imjin War and became UNESCO Memory of the World in 2013.

The map in 1592

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States and rulers at the time
Joseon — Seonjo

People

  • Yi Sun-sin1545 – 1598

    author · Admiral of the Joseon navy, victorious at Okpo, Hansando and Myeongnyang

Before and after

Later
1592 Imjin War

Related works

Themes that include this event

  • Printing and Documentary HeritageAD 751 – 2011

    From the Dharani Sutra to the May 18 archives — woodblock and metal-type printing, and the records inscribed on the Memory of the World