• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.6-22
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• 2023

The National Museum of Korea's 'Shinchungmyeong Jochong' is the sole firearm in the country bearing inscriptions written in ink('辛丑改備江華庫藏'). Thanks to this written record, it is possible to determine where this firearm was stored and to make an estimate of the time when it was stored. Additionally, it is a valuable artifact that has been exceptionally well preserved and has an artistic design. However, research into the operational period, form, and structural characteristics of this firearm has been limited to date. This study aimed to shed light on the operational period, form, and structural features of the 'Shinchukmyeong Jochong.' To achieve this, the specifications and structural characteristics of the firearm were examined, and comparisons were made with 17 other extant firearms and their attributes. The results confirmed that the 'Shinchungmyeong Jochong' is a representative example of the typical firearms of the Joseon Dynasty. Next, the timing, background, and production subject of the Ganghwado containment of the Jochong were tracked based on letters found with the Jochong. The investigation revealed an entry in the 'Records of King Jeongjo'(『正祖實錄』) indicating that a significant amount of military supplies, including firearms, were stored on Ganghwado in December of the 5th year of Shinchung(1781). The decision to store these materials in Ganghwado Island may have been due to the perception of the Joseon decision-makers, who strategically valued Ganghwado Island, and the relocation of 'Tongaoyeong'(統禦營) and the integration with 'Jinmuyeong'(鎭撫營). After acquisition, it is presumed that the firearm was operated at locations like 'Jinmuyeong'(鎭撫營). The firearm's production is presumed to have been associated associated with institutions such as 'Gungisi'(軍器寺). In conclusion, the 'Shinchungmyeong Jochong' exemplifies a typical firearm of the Joseon Dynasty, and it is likely that it was stored on Ganghwado in December of 1781. Its production is believed to have been related to institutions such as 'Gungisi'. Following its acquisition, it is presumed that the firearm was operated at locations including 'Jinmuyeong'.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.24-37
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• 2023

This study analyzes the materials and external characteristics of the Angbu-ilgu, a kind of scaphe sundial, which was newly designated as a Korean Treasure in 2022. The Angbu-ilgu Treasure is owned by three institutions - the National Palace Museum Of Korea, Gyeongju National Museum, and Sungshin Women's University Museum - and is similar as a twin in its material, size, outward appearance, as well as production techniques that include casting, silver inlays, and metal joints. The Three-Treasure Angbu-ilgu is made of brass in the ratio of 90.6: 6.0: 1.8 with Cu: Zn: Pb. This composition clearly differs from Treasure No. 845, an Angbuilgu which has a composition ratio of 82.2: 3.7: 11.8 with Cu: Zn: Pb. In this new Angbu-ilgu Treasure, the hemisphere's stand has four vertical pillars sculpted in a dragon pattern and bilateral wings carved in a cloud pattern on the pillars, which are joined to the hemisphere's horizontal ring with rivets and silver solders, respectively. The dragon-in-clouds pillar (雲龍柱) shows the most outstanding formative beauty of the various Angbu-ilgu pillars produced in the late Joseon Dynasty. It can be seen that the altitude of the north pole engraved on the Angbu-ilgu was made after 1713. Production is, however, actually estimated to have occurred close to the 19th century, the era of the Jinju Kang family, who were professional Angbuilgu makers. Hopefully, this study will lead to a historical science and technology review with modern scientific instruments analyzing the materials and external characteristics of the three Angbu-ilgus designated as a Korean Treasure in 2022.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.24
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• pp.1-16
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• 2020

This paper presents the process of re-conservation and the results of research on the production method of the Iron Sword with Ring Pommel with Three-Pointed Leaf Decoration, one of the excavation findings from Tomb No. 55 in the Dalseong Ancient Tomb Complex in Daegu. This iron sword is a double weapon with two large swords housed within a single sheath. Four smaller swords are attached to the surface of the sheath, two on the upper portion and the other two below. It is the only such two-in-one weapon excavated intact thus far from an ancient Korean tomb. The records show that it underwent conservation treatment twice in the past. In this study, it was subjected to conservation treatment again to replace the stiffener in some cracking areas, and its material, composition, and production method were analyzed by CT, XRF analysis, and stereoscopic microscopy. The sword is mainly made of copper, but the golden component contains both gold and mercury, which suggests that the copper was plated in gold using mercury amalgamation. The examination of the production methods indicates that it was intended more to demonstrate the authority of its owner rather than to serve any practical use. The two upper small swords on the sheath were made in the same manner as the main swords, and the two small lower swords were cut from a single metal sheet. The sheath was made by cutting two metal sheets. Supports were used to attach the two small swords to the upper portion of the sheath, while the lower portion of the sheath was slit to allow the other two small swords to be inserted into it. The ring pommels of the main swords have a three-pointed leaf decoration. As for the other designs, the handle of the main sword features a series of semicircles, the decorative bands on the sheath have waves in dots, and the fish tail of the sheath shows diagonal lines of dots.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.14
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• pp.23-28
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• 2013

This paper aimed to show the whole conservation process of the human shaped terra cotta mask that was excavated from one of construction sites at Jungcheon-ri, Geumsan-myeon, Jinju. This mask was X-rayed to get the correct making techniques and there are 4 holes on the top of the head and each diameter of the 3 holes is exact and the other hole is different from the three. The long and sharp shape of the nose is in trapezoid which was separately made with clay and put on (the face). It's found that there are round grooves each around upper and down lips. (upper in length: 10mm, down in length: 6 mm). All restoring materials and adhesives used for restoration to associate each piece are reversibility materials. According to a few points on buried bones of animals distributed around the sites, holes and grooves on the top of the head, ears and teeth to wear something, it academically presumes that this mask could be possibly used for the group ritual. Especially, the whole procedure from excavation to scientific conservation process resulted to have a special exhibition to give the public new eyes how the exhibition realizes to the public.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.76-98
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• 2023

The results of analyzing the outfits of male and female characters depicted in the "Hoehonryedocheop" (回婚禮圖帖, Deoksu 6375) held by the National Museum of Korea and estimating its production date of the "Hoehonryedocheop"are as follows. Firstly, an elderly groom is depicted wearing a patterned heukdanryeong (黑團領) with rank badges, a garment commonly donned by government officials in works such as "Jeonanryedo (奠鴈禮圖)" and "Gyobaeryedo (交拜禮圖)". And the old groom in "Heonsuryedo (獻壽禮圖)" "Jeobbindo (接賓圖)" and "Jungroeyeondo (重牢宴圖)" is shown wearing a jarip (purple hat) without a paeyoung (ornamental jewelry strap), accompanied by jade colored robe with a red strap belt. Gireokabeom (雁夫) is observed wearing a jarip (紫笠) adorned with a paeyoung (貝纓) and a patternless heukdanryeong with rank badges. Adult male descendants are depicted wearing dopo (道袍), while guests wear dopo, cheolrik (帖裏), and jikryeong (直領), accompanied by red and blue straps denoting their social status. Jingssi (徵氏), sidong (侍童), and young grandchildren are observed wearing jungchimak(中赤莫). The young servants are wearing jungchimak, and the boys carrying the food have braided their hair and worn sochangu (小氅衣), while adults servants wore jeonrip (氈笠) and sochangui. Performers are seen clad in a sochangui, jeonbok, and a blue sash around their waists. Secondly, the elderly bride is portrayed wearing a keunmeori (ceremonial headdress) and a green wonsam (圓衫) in "Gyobaeryedo," while in "Heonsuyeondo," she is depicted in a blue skirt and a jade colored jeogori (赤古里). Women descendants are shown adorning headdress decorations, such as binyeo(簪), banja(斑子) and pearl daenggi (眞珠唐紒) on their eoyeomeori (於于味, ceremonial headdress). They are further dressed in skirts of navy, red, and jade hues, paired with various-colored jeogori. Additionally, a woman wearing a navy skirt and a green jangot (長衣) is also depicted. The dongnyeo (童女, unmarried women) wear beolsaengmeri (娘子雙髻), headdress) with long binyeo and long dodaik-daenggi (都多益唐只). They wear chilbo-jokduri (七寶簇頭里) and a red skirt with a green hoejang-jeogori (回裝赤古里). Bija (婢子) wears garima (加里亇) on her eoyeomeori and is seen dressed in skirts and jeogori resembling those worn by noble women, albeit with lighter colors, shorter skirt length, and a subdued volume. Ginyeo's attire bears similarities to that of noble women, although with a dress with less vibrant tones and devoid of decorations on the eoyeomeori. Thirdly, based on the main character's jarip, along with the cheolrik and jikryeong worn by the guests, as well as the performances by musicians of the military camp, it is suggested that the main character of the 60th wedding anniversary is connected to the Ministry of Military Affairs or the military camp. Judging by the military band's short-sleeved vest, the silhouettes of the women dress, and the headdresses, it is likely that the "Hoehonryedocheop" was produced between the 1760s and 1780s.