• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.196-219
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• 2019

According to the Samguk Yusa, the nine-story wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple was built by a Baekje artisan named Abiji in 645. Until the temple was burnt down completely during the Mongol invasion of Korea in 1238, it was the greatest symbol of the spiritual culture of the Korean people at that time and played an important role in the development of Buddhist thought in the country for about 700 years. At present, the only remaining features of Hwangnyongsa Temple, which is now in ruins, are the pagoda's stylobate and several foundation stones. In the past, many researchers made diverse inferences concerning the restoration of the original structure and the overall architecture of the wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple, based on written records and excavation data. However, this information, together with the remaining external structure of the pagoda site and the assumption that it was a simple wooden structure, actually suggest that it was a rectangular-shaped nine-story pagoda. It is assumed that such ideas were suggested at a time when there was a lack of relevant data and limited knowledge on the subject, as well as insufficient information about the technical lineage of the wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple; therefore, these ideas should be revised in respect of the discovery of new data and an improved level of awareness about the structural features of large ancient Buddhist pagodas. This study focused on the necessity of raising awareness of the lineage and structure of the wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple and gaining a broader understanding of the structural system of ancient Buddhist pagodas in East Asia. The study is based on a reanalysis of data about the site of the wooden pagoda obtained through research on the restoration of Hwangnyongsa Temple, which has been ongoing since 2005. It is estimated that the wooden pagoda underwent at least two large-scale repairs between the Unified Silla and Goryeo periods, during which the size of the stylobate and the floor plan were changed and, accordingly, the upper structure was modified to a significant degree. Judging by the features discovered during excavation and investigation, traces relating to the nine-story wooden pagoda built during the Three Kingdoms Period include the earth on which the stylobate was built and the central pillar's supporting stone, which had been reinstalled using the rammed earth technique, as well as other foundation stones and stylobate stone materials that most probably date back to the ninth century or earlier. It seems that the foundation stones and stylobate stone materials were new when the reliquaries were enshrined again in the pagoda after the Unified Silla period, so the first story and upper structure would have been of a markedly different size to those of the original wooden pagoda. In addition, during the Goryeo period, these foundation stones were rearranged, and the cover stone was newly installed; therefore, the pagoda would seem to have undergone significant changes in size and structure compared to previous periods. Consequently, the actual structure of the original wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple should be understood in terms of the changes in large Buddhist pagodas built in East Asia at that time, and the technical lineage should start with the large Buddhist pagodas of the Baekje dynasty, which were influenced by the Northern dynasty of China. Furthermore, based on the archeological data obtained from the analysis of the images of the nine-story rock-carved pagoda depicted on the Rock-carved Buddhas in Tapgok Valley at Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, and the gilt-bronze rail fragments excavated from the lecture hall at the site of Hwangnyongsa Temple, the wooden pagoda would appear to have originally been an octagonal nine-story pagoda with a dual structure, rather than a simple rectangular wooden structure.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.140-159
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• 2013

The wooden stupa of Hwangyongsa temple - which was designed and constructed by master craftsman Abigi of the Baekje Dynasty during the Silla Dynasty between the 12th year of Queen Seondeok (AD 643) and AD 646 - can be regarded as a typical Korean wooden stupa. However, it was destroyed by fire during an invasion by the Mongolians in AD 1238 during the Koryo Dynasty. In spite of progress in research for the restoration of the wooden stupa, there are some remains to be re-considered in regard to ruins, relics and literature previously discovered. In particular, research conducted on frame construction and structure can be considered an important basis for restoration. However, previous studies seem to have not attempted to establish structural and formative characteristics of the wooden stupa based on the indigenous techniques and styles of traditional Korea, but general characteristics of the wooden stupa biased toward cultural interchange with neighbouring countries. As such, in this study the frame construction and structure of the wooden stupa of Hwangyongsa temple were analysed and considered in detail based on the re-interpretation of literature which can be a clue about the structure of the stupa, related ruins of the 7th century period, and previous studies. As a result, this paper supposed and presented a model picture for the plane arrangement of pillars, structural methods for Dwibburi (뒤뿌리) of Haangjae (하앙재), Shimju (심주), and other key areas. The author hopes that this study contributes substantially to research on the wooden stupa of ancient Korea and to the establishment of construction and structural methods.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.4
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• pp.17-21
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• 2003

We performed conservation treatment for the sarira reliquary from the pagoda of Hwangnyongsa temple site. The sarira reliquary is in the shape of gilt-bronze octagonal miniature pagoda. Through radiography, it was newly proved that a radial design exists on the roof part. The gilded layer was plated with amalgam. Each part was plated first before being put together. We restored the lost parts and made supports, and then assembled it in the following order: base, upper part of the base, shaft and roof part.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.7-22
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• 2021

This study was prepared to understand the changes in the stylobate and the characteristics of contrasting with the wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple, which occupies an important position in ancient architecture. Literature data related to the wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple, excavation data, and newly identified stylobate stone were examined.The reconstruction period of the wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple, the size and form of the stylobate, the plan of the stylobate, the height plan, and the elevation plan were reviewed one after another.Since its foundation in 646, the wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple has been rebuilt during the reign of King Gyeongmun in 873 and a stylobate has been rebuilt. Through the analysis of similar cases with the wooden pagoda's face stone members, the elevation of the stylobate was proved. It is estimated that the size and format of the wooden pagoda stylobate were similar to those of the reconstruction stylobate. It seems that the Sumijwa style stylobate was first introduced to the foundation of the wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple. This is of great significance in that it provided a fundamental motif for the stylobate of architecture and stone architecture of the Unified Silla period.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.6 no.3 s.13
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• pp.9-22
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• 1997

The Wooden Stupa of Hwangnyongsa Temple, existed from Shilla to Koryo Dynasty, is recognized as a typical model of the Korean wooden stupa. The related records on this stupa are found in some historical documents including The Chronicles of the Three States ${\ulcorner}$三國史記${\lrcorner}$. This study, through the interpretation of these documents, attempts to discuss and analyse design and structural methods of the stupa, viz., i) the relationship with both Chinese and Japanese wooden stupa, ii) the height, iii) each floor's linking methods, iv) the 'Noban' (Basement of the upper part), v) structure of the 'Simju' (Central pillar) and vi) the stairs and the handrails. The results of this study would be hopefully used for the further researches as well as the restoration of this precious architectural asset.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.33-40
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• 2015

The present study is aimed to reconsider the time of installation and the purpose of the square footstone located at the center of the wooden pagoda in Hwangnyongsa Temple, based on related precedent studies. Precedent studies are divided into two streams of assertions: one is that the square footstone was to support the major pillars at the time of building and the other is that it was installed to store Buddhist reliquaries inside the central foundation stone after the wood pagoda burnt down in the Invasion of Mongol. Summarizing the grounds with which the precedent studies support their assertions, they are the relation with Gaseopbul Yeonjwaseok, the emerging time of the square footstone, repairing work at the level of reconstruction, additional enshrinement of general Buddhist reliquaries and so on. The present study reviewed the key grounds suggested in the previous studies regarding the square footstone. First, it was determined that the square footstone has nothing to do with Gaseopbul Yeonjwaseok, after looking into the timings of appearance, condition and shape in literatures. Rather, it was assumed that Gaseopbul Yeonjwaseok resembles a stone column. Next, the square footstone is assumed to be installed after the 4th year of King Kwangjong's rule because the wood pagoda was lost in fire in the 4th year of Kwangjong's rule and it had been left alone for 68 years until the repair work finished in the 13th year of King Hyunjong. It is assumed that repair works at the level of reconstruction had been twice in total, say, once during King Kyungmun and Hyunjong, respectively. Next, looking into the establishment of the general Buddhist reliquaries and the repair work during King Kyungmun, it was not common then to enshrine additional Buddhist reliquaries when repair work progressed and so there was not an additional enshrinement of Buddhist reliquaries after King Kyungmun. However, it is hard to decide that there was no repair work at the level of reconstruction at that time. Last, we can find a similar case to the square footstone of the wood pagoda in Hwangnyongsa Temple in the copper pagoda in Japanese Yaksasa Temple. In conclusion, it is assumed that the wooden pagoda in Hwangnyongsa Temple was lost to the fire in the 4th year of King Kwangjong's rule and thus the square footstone had been used as Jinho stone to protect Buddhist reliquaries and used as a propping stone for the major pillars after King Hyungjong.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.86-109
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• 2009

Mireuksa Temple was founded during the reign of King Mu of Baekje(AD 600-641). The circumstance of the construction of this temple is documented in "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms (Samgukyusa)". The pagoda named stone pagoda at Mireuksaji temple stands outside the main sanctuary of the western area. The south and west sides of the stone pagoda have completely collapsed, leaving only the eastern facade of six of its levels intact. Through the recent discovery of sarira reliquary we can see that the erection of this pagoda was in 639. So owing to accumulation of excavation results about Baekje temple site and vigorous academic exchange, it is possible that architecture of western pagoda at Mireuksaji temple can be understood in connection with the architectural development of wooden pagoda from 6th to early 7th century in East Asia. So this study is on the consideration of building of this pagoda putting first structure of upper part and cross-shaped space in 1st floor. It was considered that the material characteristics as stone could be applied to the temple pagoda architecture of large scale. The results are as follows. First, it had been built in recognition that the outer and inner part of pagoda should be separated. As it is the expression of structural system in temple pagoda architecture of large scale at that time. In pagoda there was a self-erected structure and the members of outer part of it were constructed additionally. Second, in Mireuksaji stone pagoda there is central column with stones. With inner part of pagoda it can be regarded as mixed structural system that constitutes central contral column and inner structural part. And it could be a kind of middle step to more developed structure of whole as wooden pagodas in Japan. Third, as the sarira reliquary was in central column on the first floor, the cross-shaped space could be made. The formation of this space was so on the natural meaning of sarira that the concept as memorial service of graves could be apllied to the pagoda. The style of tomb in Baekje was expressed to the space of 1st floor in pagoda where Sarira had been mstalled. That was not only effective presentation of symbolic space but also easier method in the use of same material.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.172-197
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• 2009

The stone stupas of the Mireuk Temple Site and Jeongnim Temple Site were the beginning of Korean stone stupa and the unique ones stemming from the Baeje period. Therefore, the work of investigating the characteristics of these two stone stupas would give us a basis for understanding Korean stone stupas in a large scale and Baekje-style stone stupas in a narrow sense. As shown in some records, the excellent architectural skills of Baekje could be known by the fact that Abiji was invited to the building of Hwangryong Wooden stupa, one of the national undertakings of Shilla and the skills and styles related to stone stupas were thought to be disseminated in this process. However, it has not been very convincing that the stone stupas with Baekje styles were disconnected in an instant with the unification of Shilla, in terms that culture and art would inherited and developed. The current academic circle set a frame and defined all these types of stone stupas as Baekje-system stone stupas built in Goryeo period and put them in a uniformly chronological order. The popularization of Buddhism, support of regionally powerful clans and cultural revival were suggested as the factors of their appearance, but it seemed difficult to be assured that these led Baeje-style stone stupas to reappear in a moment by breaking the gap of about 300 years. Of course, it has not been active in Gyeongju area, but they have greatly influenced the stone stupas of Shilla; therefore, it would be possible to consider that they were developed but limited to certain areas. This study focused on the starting point of such development and investigated the formation of Baeje-style stone stupas through the stone stupas of the Mireuk Temple Site and Jeongnim Temple Site and their subsequent development through Wanggung-ri Stone Stupa.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.110-133
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• 2009

This study is on the types and characteristics of foundation and basestone which can be seen in remains of Baekje and Silla in beginning study of them in ancient Korean architecture. This is a close investigation that division of the shape of the basestone and the type of Jeoksim(積心, the supporting part under the basestone) and foundation under the ground. Also it can be seen that the difference of construction technique and the relation with each part. The research objects are the remains of temples which had been excavated or are been excavating now in Baekje area and in Silla from 6th to 8th century. Results of research published in north Korea are quoted for the remains in Goguryeo being unable to be seen as they are in north Korea. If it had been possible to visit the sites, the materials would have been collected from the direct investigation. Otherwise they are collected from the excavaion results published. After that the basestone and the foundation could be divided according to several types. Also each types can be compared and studied according to times and building use. The results are follows. There are some different characteristics between Baekje and Silla in the technique of foundation, jeoksim, and basestone. Through them it is possible that the arhitectural technique of Baekje had been introduced to not only wooden pagoda in the erection of hwangryongsa temple. These results are considered limited in a few remains grasped the characteristics so it should be complemented continuously as the outcome of excavation of architectural remains will be accumulated to.