• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.40
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• pp.207-241
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• 2007

This paper investigates the royal collection of paintings and calligraphy during King Gojong's (高宗) reign (1897~1907) based on the function of the Jipgyeong-dang Hall (緝敬堂), situated at "sleeping realm (寢殿)," Gyeongbok Palace. Using the surviving palace records and art works this study argues that the date of building the hall is approximately confined to the year of 1890. Not being matched with the general opinion that the Jipgyeong-dang Hall was used for the official meeting with envoys, this hall functioned as the main place for royal audience and the storehouse for archives. The role of Gojong as collector and patron was essential not only to the maintenance of the collection but also to the strengthening of royal authority just before the Japanese annexation in 1910. The specific titles of the collection at this hall can be verified through the Catalogue of the Books, Paintings, and Calligraphy Exposed to the Sun at Jipgyeong-dang Hall (緝敬堂曝曬書目) dating to the nineteenth century. The records of the catalogue inform us that more than 1,000 paintings and pieces of calligraphy, inkrubbings from old steles, manuals for painting, and encyclopedia concerning art theories from Korea, China, and Japan were preserved there. The collection of Jipgyeong-dang Hall resulted from Gojong's policy to foster the collection of contemporary Chinese and Japanese art works and various catalogues. Standing behind the Gyeongbok Palace, the Jibok-jae Hall (集玉齋) also preserved the diverse sources of practical learning, as did the Jipgyong-dang Hall for Gojong. The enormous royal collections by Gojong might have been constructed in accordance with the royal artistic taste and the artistic milieu of the late Joseon period. The surviving royal catalogues confirm this assumption as documentary evidence.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.120-145
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• 2018

This study intended to examine the drainage facility of Gyeongbokgung Palace based on the traces of the relic found during the excavation survey. Historical records indicate that various efforts have been made for smooth drainage facility for the palace since the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty. Although there are no drawings showing the image of early appearance of Gyeongbokgung Palace during the foundation, it is possible to estimate it through the drawings prepared after the King Yeongjo's reign. The image of the palace after reconstruction can be seen through the "Bukgwoldohyeong" and other relevant documents. At this present, since the survey intends to determine the image of Gyeongbokgung Palace during the reign of King Gojong based on the standard restoration plan of the Cultural Heritage Administration, this study also focused on the drainage facility of Gyeongbokgung Palace during King Gojong's reign, particularly on the collecting wells and culverts of six areas including "Chimjeon Hall", "Taewonjeon Hall", "Geoncheongung Hall", "Sojubang Hall", "Hamhwadang - Jipgyeongdang - Yeonghundang Hall", and "Heungbokjeon Hall". Gyeongbokgung Palace is divided into various zones composed of the central halls and surrounding corridors, and the drains also primarily start from each hall and later join the central drain of the zone. The central drain then leads to the "Eo-gu(御溝)" and the water led to the "Eo-gu" is finally discharged through the water gate. It appears that this series of processes were basically devised to coordinate artificial drain with the natural drain using the natural geographical features of the palace. Research showed that the collecting well where the draining begin was installed in the area where a large amount of household sewage was generated but mostly in the corners where corridors met or corridors and wall met. This appears to be an arrangement to handle the water falling from the roof and household sewage. Also, "Ju(廚)" was installed mainly at the end of the corridor to handle household sewage. The installation of these drainage facilities shows the possibility that the drainage of Gyeongbokgung was very compact under a series of plans.