Yusongdorok is a joint poetry anthology compiled by Jo Wi, which contained six people`s poems written during an excursion to the Song-do Island that Chae Soo, Heo Chim and Jo Wi arranged, and Ahn Chim, Seong Hyeon, Seong Hyeon, and his nephews Seong S...
Yusongdorok is a joint poetry anthology compiled by Jo Wi, which contained six people`s poems written during an excursion to the Song-do Island that Chae Soo, Heo Chim and Jo Wi arranged, and Ahn Chim, Seong Hyeon, Seong Hyeon, and his nephews Seong Se-myeong and Seong Se-won, etc. participated in. It was the oldest joint poetry anthology in Korea published through wood-block printing by Lee Hee-bo in 1515. Although it is the oldest joint poetry anthology in Korea, Yusongdorok has not been known to the public. Thus, the present study made a general survey of the anthology, and examined its contents centering on the poems of Jo Wi who was one of rising Confucian scholars and Seong Hyeon who won literary fame as a descendent of meritorious elite in early Chosun, dividing them into: first, `edification of Eungambulwon (殷鑑不遠-There are precedents of failure not far away that the King of the Yin Dynasty can learn from)`; second, `admiration of picturesque scenery as an appreciator`; and third, `impression of departure as a traveler.` Yusongdorok is poems that the authors wrote during their excursion to the Song-do Island, which was not for ideological understanding through books but for getting experiences from investigating history of the Song-do Island with historic ruins of the previous dynasty. In addition, Yusongdorok is composed of forewords by Seo Geo-jeong and Kim Jong-jik, Songdorok, a dairy-style travel account, by Chae Soo, 103 poems on 24 themes written at historic sites of the Koryo Dynasty such as Hwawon and scenic places such as Bakyeok Fall, and an epilogue by Lee Hee-bo, the publisher of the book. Among the 103 poems on 24 themes in Yusongdorok, those revealing `edification of Eungambulwon` are 14 themes including <Hwawon>. Depending on the authors` social standing, idea, belief, etc., however, some try to show off the prosperity and cultural glory of the previous dynasty, and some try to criticize current situations indirectly through recollecting the history of the previous dynasty Second, poems revealing `admiration of picturesque scenery as an appreciator` are 3 themes including <Bakyeon>. They regarded themselves as appreciators, and visited and recorded scenic beauties in the Song-do Island. These poems were induced by the thinking system based on the national character of Neo-Confucianism, which was the foundation philosophy of the Chosun Dynasty, and the historical atmosphere encouraging the recognition of Korean civilization after the foundation of Chosun and the improvement of laws and systems. Lastly, poems revealing `impression of departure as a traveler` are 6 themes including <Gwaneumguljeongyeyaeum>. As the excursion was a 10 days` short trip and they had the joy of freedom from their busy life as young officials, these poems express the travelers` natural feelings on departure from daily routines rather than the weariness of the journey.