Publishing a book 5

1 Zen in the Zen of the Zen
Kim Myung-guk's "Dharma Statue" 11
- Colors of Old Paintings 26

2 Gently spreading samadhi
Kang Hee-an's "The Study of the Gosa Temple" 33

3 Following the dream path
An Gyeon's "Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land" 53
- Perspective in Old Paintings 79

4 Unfinished Rose
Yun Du-seo's Self-Portrait 85

5. The meeting of music and literature
Kim Hong-do's "Sailing the House" 109
- Margins of Old Paintings 132

The Great Joy of the Six Gentlemen
Yoon Du-seo's "Even if I Try to Diagnose" 139

7 Paintings of Cold Times
Kim Jeong-hui's "Sehando" 153
- Reading Old Paintings 175

8 Who will win?
Kim Si's "Dongja Gyeonryeodo" 181

9 The bustling spirit of the common people
Kim Hong-do's "Ssireum" and "Mudong" 199
- How to View Old Paintings 216

10 Self-portrait of an upright scholar
Lee In-sang's "Snow Songdo" 223

11 Portrait of an Old Poet
Jeong Seon's "Inwangjesaekdo" 241
- The Heart in Old Paintings 265

There is an old saying, “A person who only knows is not as good as a person who likes, and a person who only likes is not as good as a person who enjoys.”
An old painting is, after all, a living organism.
It is a work of art that makes one lose one's mind before it becomes an object of study.


Old paintings may seem difficult when approached academically, but when treated as living beings containing a human soul, they comfort and enrich our lives, ultimately elevating the meaning of our existence.
Everyone has had the experience of staring blankly at something.

We have all gazed thoughtlessly for a long time at the beautiful face of a sleeping baby, or a budding tree branch, the figure of a beloved friend, or the distant horizon of a vast ocean.
When we look at something for a long time or look closely at it, a pure heart, interest, and love for that object grow within us without us even realizing it.
Or, while looking at it, you feel your mind at ease and filled with joy.


People who really listen to music find wonder in the act of listening itself.
Is there any music more beautiful than the murmur of a small stream, the chirping of sparrows in the early morning, or the sound of raindrops falling in bed? The same is true for those who view paintings.
For them, the very fact that they can see this world is a miracle.
Look at the trees along the road.
At first glance, they all seem the same, but no two are alike.
Look at the faces of the people on the street.
How can each life reveal such unique and precious individuality? Therefore, when the heart is pure and at peace, the world is a miracle in its very essence.
Our old paintings are like that too.


If you look at the old paintings, dot by dot, stroke by stroke, following the hand of the artist, you can see the hearts of our ancestors contained in them, one by one.
Although it may have darkened and been damaged by the passage of time, the affection, uprightness, and dignified spirit contained within it have not been damaged in the least.


In this day and age of flashy appearances, perhaps our old paintings are like simple and small creatures like daylilies or croakers.
But there is a simplicity, sincerity, and warmth there that you won't find in flashy carnations and tropical fish.
A person who looks at a good picture for a long time is happy.


If you rush and rush, you will miss the real taste.
When we carefully examine each detail, feel the artist's hand movements through the work, and even delve into the artist's mind, we can truly find ourselves becoming one with the artist in another artistic space that transcends time.


Being deeply immersed in something outside of oneself is certainly a blessing in that it allows one to escape from the finite self.
Those who know art describe it, and those who love art just stare at it.
And people who enjoy painting tend to look closely at the objects depicted in their daily lives.


People who enjoy landscape painting find nature in their lives, people who enjoy flower painting grow flowers in their lives, and people who truly enjoy portrait painting love people in their lives.
It is not just about loving something, but it is about having a true love that deeply understands its ecology.