Donguibogam

The title literally translates as "A Precious Mirror of Eastern Medicine". The phrase "Precious Mirror" (보감 寶鑑) is a metaphorical idiom meaning 'something which can be modeled after'. Meanwhile, the phrase "Eastern Medicine" (동의 東醫) is not the antonym to 'Western Medicine'; "Dongguk" (동국 東國), meaning "Eastern Country," was one of the names of Korea, which means the country to the east of China. Therefore, the title can be rendered as "An Exemplary Explanation of Korean Medicine" and is listed in UNESCO Memory of the World as "Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine". ==Background==

Known as one of the classics in the history of Eastern medicine, it was published and used in many countries including China and Japan, and remains a key reference work for the study of Eastern medicine. Its categorization and ordering of symptoms and remedies under the different human organs affected, rather than the disease itself, was a revolutionary development at that time. It contains insights that in some cases did not enter the medical knowledge of Europe until the twentieth century. Work on the Dongui Bogam started in the 29th year of King Seonjo's reign (1596) by the main physicians of Naeuiwon (내의원, "royal clinic"), with the objective to create a comprehensive compilation of traditional medicine. Main physician Heo Jun led the project, but work was interrupted due to the second Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597. King Seonjo did not see the project come to fruition, but Heo Jun steadfastedly stuck to the project and finally completed the work in 1610, the 2nd year of King Gwanghaegun's reign. It "synthesized 2000 years of traditional medical knowledge" from Korea and China, and included Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian ideas. ==The book==

The Dongui Bogam consists of 25 volumes. In contrast to Hyangyak jipseongbang (향약집성방, "Compilation of Native Korean Prescriptions"), written in 1433, Dongui Bogam is more systematic. It not only refers to Korean medicinal texts, but also Chinese medicinal texts, and records illnesses practically with their respective remedies. Contents The book is divided into 5 chapters: Naegyeongpyeon (내경편, 内景篇, Internal Medicine), Oehyeongpyeon (외형편, 外形篇, External Medicine), Japbyeongpyeon (잡병편, 難病編, Miscellaneous Diseases), Tangaekpyeon (탕액편, 湯液編, Remedies), and Chimgupyeon (침구편, 鍼灸編, Acupuncture), respectively. Editions There have been several print editions of Dongui Bogam besides the original Naeuiwon edition, within Korea and abroad. The first Chinese edition was printed in 1763 with additional prints in 1796, and 1890. The Japanese edition was first printed in 1724, and then 1799. ==UNESCO Memory of the World Register and controversy==

In 2009, UNESCO decided to add Dongui Bogam to the cultural heritage list due to its contribution as a historical relic and it was placed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register, becoming Korea's seventh cultural heritage to be thus included. ==See also==