This study is what clarified its historical significance by analyzing contents of book on battle formation, which was published twice during the reign of King Sejong in the Joseon Dynasty. It considered even on the reorganization of exercise system in battle formation according to the publishment of book on battle formation at the same time.
What was issued primarily in A.D.1421(3rd year in King Sejong) is called Jindobeop(陣圖法). And, what was compiled in A.D. 1433(15th year in King Sejong) is called Gyechukjinseol(癸丑陣說). First of all, Jindobeop was examined. At this time, it examined understanding about Byeon Gye-ryang(卞季良)’s battle formation,which had been the background of its publication. He made great effort for accepting the classical theory rather than being worried about a problem of applying it to reality. That led to what Jindobeop tended to be strong in being biased to theory. It was important to uniformly carry out the standardized exercise that is loyal to theory because of the internal situation in those days.
However, as the combat got fiercer with Jurchens, the reorganization on a exercise method was inevitable. Due to this, book on battle formation was more imminent, which is conducive to the actual battle, than theory. A work of modifying Jindobeop, which is the existing exercise textbook, was hurriedly driven. Finally, Gyechukjinseol, which is the new book on battle formation, was compiled. This was book on battle formation that can be immediately applied to the actual battle. In addition, the contents were reinforced with thinking even about a situation that can happen to the battle in the future. In such sense, Gyechukjinseol was Jindobeop that was advanced one-step further.
In the mean time, the basic exercise was carried out primarily based on Gyechukjinseol, which is the exercise textbook of targeting the whole army in a place where is imminent in defense like Hamgildo Province(咸吉道). And then,it made them exercise on the basis of combat guidebook, which was made by considering regional situation.
Furthermore, the battle formation exercise, which had failed to be activated in the meantime,was intensively carried out once more in the wake of widely distributing Gyechukjinseol. Through this, the compilation of book on battle formation over two times during the reign of King Sejong greatly contributed to reinforcing military power.