The First Korean Book of Magic, translated and annotated
The history of Korean magic awakens from a century of slumber.
A modern interpretation and commentary on Gisulhak, the oldest magic book in Korea, published in 1907.
Today, as Korean magic has risen to a world-class level, we have finally discovered the hidden roots that were once thought to be lost. Countries with a long history of magic have always possessed original literature to prove their roots.
Key examples include England's The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584), Japan's Shinsen Gijutsu (1696), and China's Ehuan Huibian (1889).
In contrast, the history of Korean magic has long remained a vast void due to a lack of documentation. It was widely believed that no independent records existed. However, there was indeed an authentic magic manual entitled Gisulhak, published in 1907 - more than a century ago. This book goes beyond being a mere technical manual of magic tricks; it reflects a pioneering vision that sought to utilize magic for educational purposes. Its historical value is even more extraordinary as it was written with a foresight into the deeper value of magic, even during an era when the art was often held in low esteem.
We now invite you to share in this remarkable chapter of Korean magic history.
"By uncovering the roots of Korean magic and reconstructing them for the modern era, this book serves as a vital asset in establishing our magical identity. It will be a guiding light that inspires future generations of magicians." - Jeki Yoo
"This book is more than just a record; it is a project that poses profound questions to us all. Deeply resonating with the value of this endeavor, I am delighted to offer my heartfelt recommendation." - Charming Choi (Hyun-woo Choi)
"A book that shines a light once again on the forgotten era of Korean magic, buried deep within time, through records from 1907. A precious work that has expanded the depth of our magic history by over a century!" - E.G (Eungyeol Lee)
"A meaningful achievement that empirically restores the origins of Korean magic history. This commentary faithfully illuminates the historical and academic significance of the original source, persuasively delivering its inherent value." - Juno Kim
"The solutions and principles of the magic we use today are all contained within these records. A precious historical resource that provides an unfiltered look into the perspectives of magic from the past." - PH
Key Features of the Book
- Explains 29 magic techniques rooted in scientific principles.
- The century-old original text has been fully translated into clear, contemporary language for easy understanding.
- Provides additional context and background information related to each featured magic trick.
- Includes a full reproduction of the original manuscript exactly as it was published in 1907.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Recommendation
- The Structure of the Book
- Introduction to GiSulHak (The Art of Conjuring)
- Translation
- Preface to GiSulHak (The Art of Conjuring)
- Yeong-ui Won's Shifting Perspective on Magic
- The Vision of Ji-won Park aka Yeon-am, a Man Ahead of His Time
- Explanatory Notes
- Table of Contents for GiSulHak (The Art of Conjuring)
- Ch. 01: How to Make a Raw Egg Float in Water
- Ch. 02: How to Write Secret Letters on Pure White Paper
- Ch. 03: How to Boil Liquor in the Snow
- Ch. 04: How to Write Letters with Fingertips
- Ch. 05: How to Make an Egg Stand Upright
- Ch. 06: How to Cut a Glass Bottle with a Thin Thread
- Ch. 07: How to Make a Bodiless Head Sing on a Table
- The Pinnacle of Optical Magic: The Sphinx
- Ch. 08: How to Make a Large Stone Float in Water
- Ch. 09: How to Make an Egg Spin Round and Round
- Ch. 10: How to Kill and Resurrect a Person at Will
- Ch. 11: How to Make a Tangerine in a Box Disappear
- Ch. 12: How to Turn Blue Flowers into Red
- Ch. 13: How to Turn Red Flowers into White
- Ch. 14: How to Attach a Coin to a Pilar
- Ch. 15: How to Tie Both Ends of Tofu Together
- Ch. 16: How to Distinguish Between a Wooden Ball and an Iron Ball Inside a Box
- Ch. 17: How to Make a Needle Float on the Surface of Water
- Ch. 18: How to Make an Egg Dance Underwater
- Ch. 19: How to Suspend an Egg with the Ash of Burnt Thread
- Ch. 20: How to Make a Rainbow Appear Indoors
- Ch. 21: How to Rapidly Change the Color of Water
- Ch. 22: How to Walk Upside Down on the Ceiling
- Ch. 23: How to Make a Paper Crane Fly Up
- Ch. 24: How to Make Seven Colors Disappear
- Ch. 25: Heron's Fountain
- Ch. 26: How to Emit Light Underwater
- Ch. 27: How to Blow Out Countless Soap Bubbles
- Ch. 28: How to Light a Fire Underwater
- Ch. 29: How to Distinguish the Colors of Three Fans Hidden Inside a Paper Box
- Supplementary Photo
- References
- Reproduction of the Original Book
1st edition 2026, Korean original 1907; PDF 132 pages.
