The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Sat, January 16, 2021 | 12:32
Fortune Telling
Exhibit Focuses on Traditional Architecture
Posted : 2010-03-31 17:16
Updated : 2010-03-31 17:16
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

A wooden miniature of Gwanghwamun, which is currently under restoration, is being exhibited at the National Museum of Korea through June 27 in Yongsan, Seoul. The piece represents the architecture of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Wooden architecture is a rare sight in present-day urban spaces packed with concrete skyscrapers and apartments. However, there is no denying the significant role of wood in architectural development.

The National Museum of Korea is holding an exhibition of 44 wooden miniatures of traditional architecture, showing historical changes of traditional construction from dugouts of the New Stone Age and Bronze Age found in Amsa-dong to Sungnyemun, National Treasure No. 1 of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

The introduction of wooden architecture in Korean history goes back to the Neolithic era when people built dugouts using wooden pillars, covering them with a thatched roof.

Such shelters evolved into diverse forms over the Bronze Age, becoming the origin of the traditional wooden architecture.

During the Three Kingdoms era (57 B.C. to 668 A.D), the architecture was grandiose and diverse in style as it symbolized the dignity of the kings and construction of ancient cities and temples.

The Goguryeo (37 B.C.-A.D.668) murals in the tombs and stone pagodas of Baekje (18 B.C.-A.D.660) and Silla (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) show the different materials and shapes used - from thatched houses to houses with tile roofs.

Wooden architecture continued to flourish in the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) eras. "Dapo" design, or multi-bracket sets placed on the lintels between pillars of grand, large-scale structures, was introduced at the end of the Goryeo Kingdom, in harmony with "jusimpo" design, or column brackets to support the roof. These two forms remained the basis for wood architecture up to the Joseon Kingdom.

``Muryangsujeon" (Hall of Infinite Life), the oldest existing wooden structure, at Buseok Temple in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, was built in Goryeo Kingdom. The structure is renowned for "jumsimpo" design and its columns are soft and elastically curved.



Gaeksamun is also one of the valuable architectural assets built with the skills of Goryeo-era craftsmen. Unlike the gates built in the Joseon Kingdom, Gaeksamun exposes the structure on either side of the gabled roof. The columns in the "jusimpo" style support a ceiling structure that includes many finely carved cloud-shaped brackets which are placed only on top of columns, not on intermediate points on the beams between them.

During the Joseon Kingdom, traditional construction sought harmony with the natural landscape and flourished in great variety and sophistication. Sungnyemun is an example showing the beauty of the architectural style of the early Joseon Kingdom.

The wooden miniatures were manufactured by master carpenter Shin Eung-soo, Important Intangible Property No. 74, who serves as the chief carpenter in the restoration projects of Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun.

Visitors can also enjoy photo exhibitions and videos showing the history of traditional architecture.

The exhibition will be on display through June 27 at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan. For more information, call (02) 2077-9460.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr









 
WooriBank
 
  • Calls mounting to punish deepfake porn distributors
  • Why treatments unlikely to be 'game changer' in COVID-19 battle
  • Samsung unveils Galaxy S21
  • Coupang to change landscape of logistics market
  • Military parade pressures Biden to take North Korea seriously
  • LVMH to raise prices of its luxury brands
  • Korea, Japan urged to take next steps after court ruling
  • Hana Bank pushes for English-language documentation
  • Philippines' Duterte says presidency not a job for a woman
  • New virus cases in 500s for 4th day
  • Ex-BIGBANG member Seungri indicted for mobilizing gang members to threaten people Ex-BIGBANG member Seungri indicted for mobilizing gang members to threaten people
  • Chinese money flows into Korean culture industry amid streaming war Chinese money flows into Korean culture industry amid streaming war
  • Entertainers in hot seat over apartment noise Entertainers in hot seat over apartment noise
  • 'The Penthouse: War in Life' season 2 set to air Feb. 19 'The Penthouse: War in Life' season 2 set to air Feb. 19
  • Film director says theme of universal humanity in 'Minari' resonates with American audience Film director says theme of universal humanity in 'Minari' resonates with American audience
DARKROOM
  • Second Trump impeachment [PHOTOS]

    Second Trump impeachment [PHOTOS]

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

  • Migrants hard hit by COVID-19: UN migration agency

    Migrants hard hit by COVID-19: UN migration agency

  • Happy New Year 2021

    Happy New Year 2021

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright