The National Museum of Korea has received the largest stone rubbing collection in the country's history, consisting of 1,143 rubbings donated by Venerable Heungseon, a master craftsman who dedicated four decades to preserving Korea's epigraphic heritage. The comprehensive collection represents the evolution of Korean inscriptive culture spanning from the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC-AD 668) through the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Venerable Heungseon, recognized as the first master craftsman of stone rubbing techniques by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, has systematically traveled across the country to create these detailed reproductions of historical inscriptions. The museum praised his work for overcoming the inaccuracies and incomplete nature of earlier rubbings, ensuring that the historical value of these ancient texts would be fully preserved for future generations. His rubbings are executed with such exceptional precision that even the chisel marks from the original stone carvings are clearly visible.

Among the most significant pieces in the collection is the rubbing of the stele of Master Bojo at Borimsa Temple in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province. This monument, erected in 1884 to honor the Buddhist master, exemplifies the aesthetic and sculptural artistry characteristic of Silla stone steles. The inscription represents both historical documentation and artistic achievement from Korea's rich Buddhist heritage.

Another treasure in the collection is the rubbing of the monument commemorating Admiral Yi Sun-sin's naval victories, located in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. This remarkable monument, erected on a stone tortoise base in 1615, was created to honor the legendary admiral's wartime accomplishments during the Joseon era. Designated as a national treasure, this monument stands as the largest existing battle memorial stele in Korea, making its rubbing particularly valuable for historical preservation.

The museum emphasized that Venerable Heungseon's work goes beyond mere reproduction, stating that his rubbings "not only faithfully reproduce the contents of epigraphs, but also capture their aesthetic beauty, embodying both scholarly and artistic value." This dual significance makes the collection invaluable for both academic research and artistic appreciation. The donated rubbings include reproductions of numerous stone inscriptions that have been designated as national treasures.

Looking ahead, the National Museum of Korea plans to digitize the entire collection to make detailed information accessible to the public. The museum also intends to exhibit Venerable Heungseon's masterful rubbings, allowing visitors to appreciate both the historical significance of the original inscriptions and the remarkable craftsmanship involved in their preservation through the traditional art of stone rubbing, known as takbon in Korean.