• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.193-217
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• 2022

The Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha Triad and Altarpiece have not been the subjects of definitive species identification and scientific analysis. In this study, visual investigation, portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), species identification, and lacquer layer observations were carried out to determine the original materials and conservation status. Cracks, exfoliation and discoloration were detected during the visual investigation. The p-XRF data indicated that chrome oxide green, malachite, gold, cadmium red, cinnabar, minium, hematite, lead white, ink stick (Carbon), and copper were used for pigments and the coronet accessory. Tilia spp., Abies spp., and Pinus spp. were identified from both the Buddha Triad and Altarpiece. Finally, lacquer layer analyses of the base layer, lacquer layer, orange pigment layer, and gold leaf layer observed modern synthetic pigments likely used in previous conservation. As the Korean Cultural Heritage Charter and the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites clearly state that objects of cultural heritage must be conserved using their original materials, future conservation of these objects should utilize the data obtained in this study to employ traditional materials. Furthermore, a deterioration map diagnosis can be applied together with the obtained analysis data to understand the conservation status of and inform an appropriate and authentic conservation treatment for the Buddha Triad and Altarpiece.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.381-393
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• 2011

This study focus on the surface deterioration diagnosis based on the material characteristics of Taean Dongmunri Maaesamjonbulipsang(rock-carved standing triad Buddha Statue) and the weathering environment analysis. Rock materials of the triad Buddha is coarse-grained biotite granite which is composed mainly of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, biotite and muscovite. The triad Buddha was serious surface irregularity(13.5%), exfoliation(12.3%) and discoloration(46.6%), and the physical characteristics using ultrasonic velocity appeared fourth grade (0.59, highly weathered). Korean style wooden shelter of the triad Buddha(closed type) maintained high humidity environment (daily mean; 86.6%) than exterior environment, and appeared the possibility of deterioration by freezing-thawing because the temperature showed below zero temperatures in winter. The shelter was changed from closed-type to open-type to relieve the moisture problem recently. But the moisture problem is yet to be solved because surface water flowing along northern wayside is flowed into triad Buddha. Therefore, environmental control will need to stop inflow of water into triad Buddha.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.778-790
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• 2021

The Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha in Bijung-ri are state-designated heritage (treasure) statues having the Buddha style of the Goryeo dynasty from the 6th century. Conservation scientific investigations were conducted to understand the preservation status of these stone Buddha statues and to establish a conservation plan. The Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha are composed of fine-medium grained biotite granite, which is considered to be of the same origin owing to their low magnetic susceptibility distribution of less than 0.2 (×10^-3 SI unit) and similar mineral characteristics. The Stone Seated Buddha Triad has highly homogenous mineral composition and particle size, whole-rock magnetic susceptibility, and geochemical characteristics very similar to those of the nearby outcrop. It was confirmed that a combination of physical, chemical, and biological factors affects the Stone Buddha statues. In particular, both the Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha tend to be chipped off from the front and cracked and scaled from the back. The Stone Standing Buddha located outdoors experiences granularity decomposition and black algae formation, which accelerate the weathering under unfavorable conservation environments. The result of non-destructive physical property diagnosis using ultrasonic velocity showed that both the Stone Seated Buddha Triad and Stone Standing Buddha have been completely weathered (CW), indicating very poor physical properties.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2015

Seated Amitabha Triad at Muwisa Temple (Treasure No. 1312) had been known as wooden Buddha statue, but a precise safety inspection revealed that the statue is terracotta Buddha statue made with clay. The clay layer of Amitabha Triad was conserved due to its severe damage. In this study, experiments were conducted to produce the most appropriate filler for the conservation treatment of the seated Amitabha Triad. Mixed clay samples with various ratios were produced and surface hardening state, crack, color change, and shrinkage of the samples during dry process were measured. Loess, fine sand powder, and cotton were used to produce the mixed clay for the filler with six different ratios and then 12 different concentration glues made with glutinous rice glue, Pachymeniopsis Elliptica glue, and animal glue were added as adhesives. Total 72 types of samples were prepared and comparative study was conducted. As a result, when the mixed clay contains 2.5% cotton compared to the weight per cent of loess and fine sand powder and also loess and fine sand in the mixed clay have a 15:1 ratio, the mixed clay had the lowest shrinkage. Animal glue is considered as an appropriate glue since it had small color change, low physical property change and shringkage. Therefore, mixed clay (loess:fine sand=15:1) mixed with 15ml animal glue is likely to be a suitable filler for conservation treatment of the seated amitabha triad at the Muwisa Temple.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.137-150
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• 2021

The rock-carved standing Buddha triad in Seoak-dong is a large stone Buddha statue of the Unified Silla era (AD 676 to 935) in ancient Korea, built near the top of the southeastern side of mountain Seondosan in Gyeongju, is characterized by its locational importance, the powerful Amitabha and the gentle sculptural technique of the Bodhisattva. In particular, Amitabha Buddha in andesite rock slope with biotite granite pedestal and two Bodhisattva parallel made by alkali granites seems to express the dignity through the color and texture of the stones. In the Amitabha Buddha, deterioration characteristics are accelerating due to the combination of various joint systems, instability of the slopes and relaxation by the root pressure of plants occurring at the top. In addition, physical properties have deteriorated owing to the increase of discontinuous surfaces as joints, cracks and scalings, and the coverage of algae and lichen is also high. Therefore, deterioration degree in Buddha triad is accelerated due to the physical weathering characteristics from natural rock mass and various biological invasion.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.562-577
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• 2020

In this study, to conserve the clay seated Vairocana Buddha triad in Seonunsa temple, Gochang (Treasure 1752), the primary materials employed for creating the clay Buddha statues were scientifically analyzed. By analyzing the soil layer constituting the Buddha statues, it is observed that the said layer comprises sand having particle size greater than that of medium sand and soil having particle size smaller than that of fine sand, which were used in a ratio of 7:3, along with the bast fibers of paper mulberry (Broussonetia kazinoki). Hence, the aforementioned soil layer is composed of a mixture of sand and weathered soil, along with bast fibers to prevent scattering. By analyzing the tree species, it is found that the wooden materials constituting the bottom board and the interior of Buddha's sleeves of the Amitabha Buddha statue, Vairocana Buddha statue, and Medicine Buddha statue are hard pines (Pinus spp.). Additionally, three layers are found in the cross section of the gold layer. Furthermore, each of the hair sections of the Buddha statues is composed of earthy materials such as quartz, albite, microcline, mica, and magnetite, and the hair surface was painted by incorporating black materials containing magnetite.

• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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• v.100
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• pp.112-138
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• 2021

This paper mainly analyzes the records titled 'Shijujil(施主秩)' from the Bokjangs of each of the Rocana and Shakyamuni statues enshrined as wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triadcomposed of Vairocana(center), Rocana(right), and Shakyamuni(left) at the Daeungjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye. The Shijujil from the Shakyamuni statue was recovered through Bokjang investigation in September 2015 and has been kept in the museum of Hwaeomsa as an undisclosed relic. After the discovery of the Shijujil from the Rocana statue through an Bokjang investigation in July 2020, both of the Shijujils were only officially released through the special exhibition 'Grand Hwaeomsa Temple in Jirisan Mountain' in September 2021. Existing documents recording on the creation of Buddha statues in the 17th century are in the form of sheets or rolls. However, the Shijujils take the form of simple stitched booklets. The Shijujil from Rocana consists of 19 chapters and 38 pages in one book, and the Shijujil from Shakyamuni consists of 11 chapters and 22 pages in one book. The contents of the Shijujils consist of the purpose of the Buddha statue creation, the creation date, the year and place of enshrining, the names of the statues, the people in charge and their roles, the sculptors, the list of items donated, and the list of the contributors. In addition, the list of monks who were staying at Hwaeomsa Temple at that time are also recorded, so the Shijujil is like a time capsule that tells the situation of Hwaeomsa Temple about 400 years ago. According to the records of the Shijujils and the Writing on the wooden pedestal of Rocana, the Vairocana Triad began to be in March 1634(12th year of King Injo) and was completed in August of that year, and was enshrined in the Daeungjeon Hall in the fall of the following year. It is very important to confirm that the Vairocana Buddha Triad of Hwaeomsa was created in 1634. Since studies on the reconstruction of Hwaeomsa Temple in the 17th century and the roles of Byeokam Gakseong have been mainly based on 『湖南道求禮縣智異山大華嚴寺事蹟』 written by monk Haean in 1636, it has been estimated that the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad was created in 1636. However, it is now known that the Virocana Buddha Triad was created in 1634. The Shijujils are also a good source of information about Byeokam Gakseong who played a pivotal roles in the reconstruction projects of Hwaeomsa Temple in the 17th century. He played leading roles in rebuilding the East Five-story Stone Pagoda(1630), in creating the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad(1634), and in producing the Yeongsanhoe Gwaebul(1653, Hanging Scroll Painting depicting the Shakyamuni preaching). It is also very important that the Shijujils are records that can reveal the relationship between Byeokam Gakseong and royal family of Joseon Dynasty in the 17th century. The Shijujils from Rocana and Shakyamuni are the first documents ever discovered in which the names of royal family members, such as Uichanggun(Gwang Lee, son of King Seonjo), Ikseong Shin(son-in-law of King Seonjo), and Crown Prince Sohyeon(son of King Injo) are recorded in detail in relation to the production of Buddha statues. The Shijujils from Rocana and Shakyamuni contain specific information about the production of the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad in the 17th century, such as the year of production of the Buddha statues, the role of Byeokam Gakseong, and the relationship between Byeokam Gakseong and the royal family, so it is of great value not only for art history but also for historical studies of Hwaeomsa Temple.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.246-263
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• 2019

The stone Buddha statue of Sangunsa Temple at Bukhansan in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, is an excellent example of stone Buddha statues created in the late 15th century. On the base of the figure, there is an inscription, which informs that it was produced in 1497. In recognition of this significance, it was recently designated as a tangible cultural asset in Gyeonggi-do. Thus, this paper tried to evaluate the value of the statue by analyzing iconography and style. The characteristics of a typical 15th-century style that the Buddha statue of Sangunsa Temple shows are the form of ushnisha, the way clothes are worn, the form of a w-shaped chest muscle, and the simple lotus pedestal. On the other hand, the elongation of the waist and the disappearance of the waistband on undergarments are new forms of Buddha statues in the 16th century. Besides, parting the hair in the middle of the head and leaf-shaped short ribbon draped on undergarments are unique features that only appear on the statue of Sangunsa Temple. Sangunsa has been known to be built in the early 18th century based on Bukanji compiled by Seongneung in 1745, and Bongeunbonmalsaji composed in 1943. However, the statue was created in the late 15th century, before the establishment of the temple in the early 18th century. Therefore, this paper briefly reviewed the history of Sangunsa Temple, focusing on the initial period, referring to the historical sites and the relics that were passed on to the temple, as well as the literature records. The data newly referred to in the study are as follows: Sangunsa Stone Pagoda, presumed to be from the Goryeo Dynasty; the Stone Buddha Statue of Sangunsa; Wooden Amita Triad Buddha Statue of Sangunsa. According to the data and contrary to previously-held beliefs, Sangunsa Temple is believed to have been operating since the Goryeo Dynasty. It can be inferred through analysis of the stone Buddha statue of Sangunsa Temple that the size of the Temple before the 18th century was not very large.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.78-99
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• 2020

The Buddha triad and 16 Arhat statues carved on the rock surface at Seongbulsa temple is the only domestic remaining example of all 16 Arhats, so its academic value is very high. However, it is severely damaged and so required a stability evaluation through study of digital documentation and precise diagnosis for the purpose of comprehensive conservation. This process established that the Buddha statues were of similar scale, while the Arhats showed a wide variety of sizes, and the two kith and kin in the volume were larger than the Arhats. It was estimated that the statues of food for Buddha are similar to the Arhat statues, and most of the statues are well-formed. The rock used to carve the Buddha statues is banded gneiss with distinct foliation, alternating between white bands of quartz and feldspar and black bands composed of biotite. The Buddha statues have been damaged by physical weathering, discoloration, and biological contamination. In damage evaluations, joint (3.6 crack index), peeling (5.2%), exfoliation (1.7%), and falling off (0.1%) were observed on the rock surface of the Buddha statues. In particular, due to severe biological weathering, stage 9 and 10 biological coverage of the rock surface accounted for 57.5% of the total area, and stages 5 to 8 also accounted for a high share at 22.3%. The discoloration factors were shown to be dark brown and white with Fe, Ca, and S, and a large amount of C detected in the blackened contaminants, and the damage weight high in all areas. Discontinuities in different directions were identified in the rock surface. Analysis of potential rock failure types indicated that there is a possibility of plane and toppling failure, but wedge failure is unlikely to occur. The mean ultrasonic velocity of the main rock surface was 2,463m/sec, the lower part of the left side with a large number of joints was relatively low, and the highly weathered (HW) type to the completely weathered (CW) type concentrated distribution, showing weak properties. For the Buddha statues, conservation treatment is required for about 14.9% of micro cracks and 58.9% of exfoliation cracks. In addition, in order to improve the conservation environment of the Buddha statues, maintenance of drainage and ground preparations for the rock surface gradient and plants are necessary, and protection facilities should be reviewed for long-term conservation and management purposes.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.72-84
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• 2010

This study was attempted in order to offer basic data for implementing and applying Samjonseokjo(三尊石造), which is one of traditional stone construction method, by confirming how the constructive principle is expressed such as proportional beauty, which is contained in the modeling of Triad of Buddha Carved on Rock that was formed in the period of the Three States, centering on Triad of Buddha Carved on Rock in Susan. The summarized findings are as follows. 1. As a result of analyzing size and proportion of totally 17 of Triad of Buddha Carved on Rock, the average total height in Bonjonbul(本尊佛) was 2.96m. Right Hyeopsi(右挾侍) was 2.19m. Left Hyeopsi(左挾侍) was 2.16m. The height ratio according to this was 100:75:75, thereby having shown the relationship of left-right symmetrical balance. The area ratio in left-right Hyeopsi was 13.4:13.7, thereby the two area having been evenly matched. 2. The Triad of Buddha Carved on Rock in Seosan is carved on Inam(印岩) rock after crossing over Sambulgyo bridge of the Yonghyeon valley. Left direction was measured with $S47^{\circ}E$ in an angle of direction. This is judged to target an image change and an aesthetic sense in a Buddhist statue according to direction of sunlight while blocking worshipers' dazzling. 3. As for iconic characteristics of Buddha Carved on Rock in Seosan, there is even Hyeopsi in Bangasang(半跏像) and Bongjiboju(捧持寶珠) type Bosangipsang. In the face of Samjon composition in left-right asymmetry, the unification is indicated while the same line and shape are repeated. Thus, the stably visual balance is being shown. 4. In case of Triad of Buddha Carved on Rock in Seosan, total height in Bonjonbul, left Hyeopsi, and right Hyeopsi was 2.80m, 1.66m, and 1.70m, respectively. Height ratio in left-right Hyeopsibul was 0.60:0.62, thereby having been almost equal. On the other hand, the area ratio was 28.8:25.2, thereby having shown bigger difference. The area ratio on a plane was grasped to come closer to Samjae aesthetic proportion. 5. The axial angle of centering on Gwangbae was 84:46:50, thereby having been close to right angle. On the other hand, the axial angle ratio of centering on Yeonhwajwa(蓮華坐: lotus position) was measured to be 135:25:20, thereby having shown the form of inequilateral triangle close to obtuse angle. Accordingly, the upper part and the lower part of Triad of Buddha Carved on Rock in Susan are taking the stably proportional sense in the middle of maintaining the corresponding relationship through angular proportion of inequilateral triangle in right angle and obtuse angle. 6. The distance ratio in the upper half was 0.51:0.36:0.38. On the other hand, the distance ratio in the lower half was 0.53 : 0.33 : 0.27. Thus, the up-down and left-right symmetrical balance is being formed while showing the image closer to inequilateral triangle. 7. As a result of examining relationship of Samjae-mi(三才美) targeting Triad of Buddha Carved on Rock in Susan, the angular ratio was shown to be more notable that forms the area ratio or triangular form rather than length ratio. The inequilateral triangle, which is formed centering on Gwangbae(光背) in the upper part and Yeonhwajwa(lotus position) in the lower part, is becoming very importantly internal motive of doubling the constructive beauty among Samjae, no less than the mutually height and area ratio in Samjonbul.