Kang Hee-an: Yanghwasorok

A short record of growing flowers by Kang Hui-an, a representative literati painter of the early Joseon Dynasty in the 15th century. This is the oldest specialized horticultural book in Korea still in existence, a peerless classic and an essay by a scholar who gained a richer understanding of the world while caring for flowering trees. It covers the characteristics and cultivation of 16 kinds of flowering plants and trees, including bamboo, chrysanthemums, gardenias, and sweet flag, as well as unusual rocks, and briefly explains the basics of horticulture. Kang first surveyed and quoted a wide range of records by people of earlier times, then presented his own views and experiences. This work offers a glimpse into the reality of Joseon horticulture, where people enjoyed a surprisingly wide variety of flowering plants and trees, and lets readers sense the author’s way of thinking as he reflected on life through horticulture. Among the various editions, this book was translated from the sole edition designated a Treasure, preserving the original’s plain, restrained style. Extensive footnotes explain people, sources, and historical anecdotes that may be unfamiliar to readers today. An appendix includes a facsimile of the original text, allowing readers to cherish the source. The book is also designed to bring flowering plants closer through fresh plant photography and separate explanations of the plants. For the fully revised 2024 edition, the translation was reviewed and refined throughout, and most of the photographs were replaced.

Korean title: 양화소록

Korean author: 강희안

Korean publisher: 눌와

ISBN-13: 9791189074739