• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.252-271
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• 2022

This article examines the characteristics of the royal tombs of the late Silla Dynasty with the statues of the 12 animal deities(Zodiac) and estimates the process of change. The features of the statues show a difference in their combination in terms of continuity and similarity of the object in their hands. In addition, there is a difference in the shape of the face of the stone statue, and differences are observed in the orientation and aspect ratio of the statue according to the sculptural method. The characteristics of these statues are somewhat different from the previously studied protected-stone and manufacturing techniques. For example, the Zodiac statues that are flattened from high relief to low relief are known to be decorated in realistic expressions, but they tend to be treated as separate conditions because they do not match the change of the stone. In addition, there was a characteristic that did not show regular changes, such as appearing and disappearing again when there was no balustrade in the tomb. Summing up the characteristics of each part, the Zodiac statues are largely divided into curved angles and flat angles according to the sculptural technique, and the head orientation and clothing of the statue are related. They are divided into two categories and can be viewed as having temporality according to the aspect ratio. These characteristic changes are consistent with the continuity of features and changes in the object in the hands of the 12 Zodiac statues. Therefore, the number of faces with protected-stone changes were gradually increasing in trend. As a result, there is a possibility that the Gujeongdong Square-shape Tomb and King Jindeok Tomb are earlier royal tombs than the Wonseong Royal Tomb. Therefore, the royal tombs of the late Silla Dynasty have a complete, tomb structure, containing the 12 animal god statues, ceremonial spaces(拜禮空間), Shindo(神道), stone statues(石像), and tombstones. This can be understood as a basic motif for the royal tomb structures of Goryeo and Joseon.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.431-441
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• 2013

The aim of this study is to reinterpret the image on a Korean tradition known as Bang-wee-shin-sang (an image of direction deity), and to revive the image into Jikimee (the guardian). In particular, this research re-analyzed the image and the symbol of Bang-wee-shin-sang and effectively designed the tradition to fit the modern living space. The theoretical study is to explore why it is necessary to redesign Bang-wee-shin-sang to accommodate modern living after examining the background and origin of typical Korean traditions such as Four Deity painting, Chinese Zodiac, and Four Kings' Painting. As a previous study, we examined the procedures of making Jikimee which was based on artists' works that utilized historical artifacts. The study indicated that Bang-wee-shin-sang is a vital resource to disseminate the unique characteristics of Korea and its tradition which played a role in linking the past and the present. Consequently, it is discussed that the utilization of modernized Jikimee in smart environment must be supported by foundation of academic system, the effort of academic and research link, and government funding policy.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.198-221
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• 2009

Royal tombs of Joseon dynasty are the crystallization of history, ideology, culture, art, architecture, and ritual ceremony of Joseon dynasty, all mingled in one. So, they are very significant symbols showing 500 years of dynastic history as a whole. Among various factors comprising a royal tomb, stone figures surrounding grave mound are special factors as a symbol protecting it. Further among them, twelve zodiac images arrayed nearest to the grave mound represent the core of the function. Images of twelve zodiac signs originated from the tombs of the Unified Silla Kingdom are certain to hold important role and position in the construction of royal tombs, judging from huge scale and excellent sculptural art of them. However, both their scale and form had been gradually simplified in Goryeo and Joseon dynasty, thus the importance of them has been underestimated compared to other stone figures Images of twelve zodiac signs were very important factors which decorated royal tombs both as a protective role and as a concept of direction. Their historicity and symbolism cannot be neglected in that they had been transmitted to the royal tombs of Joseon dynasty. In this paper, images of twelve zodiac signs expressed in the royal tombs of Joseon dynasty are classified into 3 forms, and reviewed the origin and development of them for each period. They could be classified into 3 forms ; civil vassals with human body and head, civil vassals with human body and head wearing hat decorated with zodiac animals, Chinese characters of either zodiac signs or either a combination of 10 calendar signs and 8 trigrams. The above 3 forms originated from China and became a favorite motif to decorate the royal tombs from early Joseon period until late Joseon by replacing each other and thus changing along the course of the dynasty. In the meantime, we can see a unique character in the images of twelve zodiac signs of royal tombs of Joseon dynasty. In some cases, 24 directions are expressed in which 10 calender signs and 8 trigrams are composed altogether. Images of twelve zodiac signs in the royal bombs of Joseon dynasty are very significant as evidences by which we can confirm uniqueness and tradition of Korean tomb system transmitted from Unified Silla period.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.88-105
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• 2020

This study examined existing theories of the characteristics of the abandoned tumulus site located at the east side of the Silla era Hwang Bok Sa (皇福寺) site and attempted an archaeological approach based on the derived facts, combining both the results of this study and those of a recently conducted excavation survey. The results of this investigation exhibited the following outcomes. First, the excavation survey revealed that the huge rounded stones discovered on the surface of a rice paddy field located at the east side of the Silla era Hwang Bok Sa were all protecting stones, processed on the front side in the form of a bow, designating a royal tomb. Most of these protecting stones had deviated from their original positions due to subsequent farming practices and some had been re-cycled for construction purposes as fences or foundations for structures built in the Silla era. Considering the prevailing belief in the concept of reincarnation, the bone rank system, and royal authority in the Silla era at that time, it would seem likely that the royal tombs were not intentionally destroyed. Therefore, it is speculated that the stones in this royal tomb were abandoned during construction of the tomb of the King at that time and then naturally re-cycled as building components used in construction sites in later years. Second, this study comparatively analyzed the scale and quality of the supporting stones at the royal tomb site in Guhwang-dong. The analysis results verified that those supporting stones were the same stones from the royal tomb used as supporting stones for statues symbolizing the twelve earthly branch spirits that were restored at the site of the tower at the royal tomb. This confirmed that the statues of the twelve earthly branches spirits sitting at the Hwang Bok Sa site were the protecting stones from a different royal tomb. Accordingly, the conclusion that has been generally accepted to date-that the protecting stones of the statues of twelve earthly branches spirits sitting at Hwang Bok Sa site were probably moved from the royal tomb site in Guhwang-dong-must inevitably be modified. Third, based on the structure of the protecting stones and type of the royal tomb, it is speculated that the individual buried in the royal tomb at Guhwang-dong is one of the kings who followed King Heungdeok and similar times of the buried person of the tomb that was considered as King Gyeongdeok, and who was before the buried person of the tomb that was considered as Kim Yu-sin. In addition, when considering the historical art patterns on the supporting stones of the statues that symbolize the twelve earthly branches spirits, which were moved to the site of the tower at the royal tomb, it is reasonable to believe that the person buried at the royal tomb at Guhwang-dong is likely one of the Kings of the late Silla era of the 9^th century.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.124-139
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• 2013

Choi Cheon-yak(about 1684~1755) is an artist who left the various artistic works such as sculptures of royal tombs, architectures. In addition, he was not only a skilled caster but also an able artisan carving jade in the early Joseon Dynasty period. Starting from making royal seals of King Suk-jong, he had made more than about 40 Royal seals until 1755. Choi Cheon-yak was well known as a skilled jade craftsman. Another of his great abilities was to carve subjects into ideal figures. In virtue of his greater abilities, he could take part in the process of constructing Royal tombs and sculpting the stone statues of military officials' which were erected at aristocrats' tombs. With these accumulated skills, when he was in charge of designing the folding screen stones for King In-jo's Jang Neong, he could even replace 12 animals system and clouds with peonies and lotus. Among his various abilities, his skill in carving a sculpture can stand comparison with any other contemporaries. His sculpture skill was at its zenith in 1752, the stone statues of military officials' at the Ui soseson's tomb count his showpiece that describes a model at the age of his late teens and is a realistic and portrayal sculpture, which met the royal family's dignity. In the same year, the stone statues of military officials' constructed by Choi Cheon-yak was elected in front of the Jo Hyen-myeong's tomb(1690~1752). This masterpiece referred to the armor of those of King Gong-min Neong and newly added a helmet and the patterns of a tortoise shell. These patterns of a tortoise shell were passed down to Park Moon-su's tomb in 1756 and Queen Jeong-sung's Hong Neung by his colleagues : Kim Ha-jeong and Byeon Yi-jin etc. He was one of the greatest sculptors in the $18^{th}$ century. People in Joseon praised him highly for his imaginative work from an amorphous object. Especially, these stone statues of military at Jo Hyeonmyeong's tomb shows the proofs of his supreme artwork.