• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2016

The purpose of this paper is to understand the value of Dongji(東池), Seoji(西池) and Namji(南池), the lotus ponds of Fortress Wall of Seoul as part of the cultural landscape of the period through a consideration of personal behavior and impressive landscape characteristics via various old writings on each pond. The objects of this study include poems, diaries, travelogues and essays describing these ponds. The results are as follows. First, the preferred landscape elements of these three ponds were lotuses, willows and water itself. Second, while Dongji was recognized as a natural landscape, the composition of Seoji was a mixture of with natural and urban landscapes, and Namji was more urban altogether. Third, in aspects of personal behavior, while Dongji was a place where people broke their journeys to gaze at the scenery or looked down distantly, in Seoji, people stayed for a long time in a pavilion called Cheonyeon-jeong(天然亭) and engaged in various leisure activities, and in Namji, there were many gatherings under a temporary shelter or at a friend's house near the pond. Night was the best time to enjoy Namji because during the day, the area was crowded with people, horses, carts and so on. Fourth, the landscapes of fortress walls were impressively described often. Fifth, because these ponds were integrated into the surrounding area, they were like public openspaces mixed with water spaces, natural environment and adjacent facilities. The lotus ponds of the Fortress Wall of Seoul were located in a place connecting inside and outside of fortress, supplemented the cultural features in city, were valued as public openspace, and made it possible to experience the unique landscape of Hanyang. Although these ponds were buried and have now disappeared, they still hold great cultural meaning and potential value as water landscapes of the old city.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to understand the environmental traits and significance of the pond place that appears in historic maps in 'Dongchon(東村)', which is the eastern section within the fortress wall of Hanyang. We reviewed various documents and maps to identify the name of the pond, and of those materials we followed the name provided by official national records and geographical titles to designate it 'Eouidongji Pond(於義洞池).' The results of the research showed, first, that from the standpoint of location and environmental characteristics, that the area of the Eouidongji Pond was an area that contained a pastoral atmosphere within the city. It was located in an area where the waters flowing from the mountains gathered, and the boundaries of the pond would change based on water levels within a plot of land about 2,000pyeong(app. $6,600m^2$) in size. Second, when seen from the perspective of its creation background, the Eouidongji Pond seems to have been a naturally occurring pond which was modified when the water system was managed in the city at the beginning of the dynasty. In addition to its role as a reservoir, it was operated as a lotus pond(蓮池) to offer lotus(蓮) related by-products. With the nearby detached palace being actively used, it seems the pond was managed at the same time. The pond had already been filled in by the early 20th century, and although there were efforts to reconstruct the pond, it was eventually destroyed as the area was included in the site of a school during the colonial period. Third, the Eouidongji Pond was appreciated in many cases by individuals or admired as part of the natural landscape by viewing it from afar. In addition, it provided entry landscape near the road entering Dongchon, and was a location that was easily visited in connection with other nearby pleasure grounds. Through studying the location and environmental characteristics, the background of its creation and destruction, operation and management by time period, usage at the time, and characteristics of scenery appreciation of Eouidongji Pond, the Eouidongji Pond was a pond of high practical value to the nation, as it supplemented the water system in the city and was able to provide lotus harvests for the nation. In addition, from a urban environment perspective, it was a lateral landmark with a large area, as well as an effective boundary. It was an open area that the people of the Hanseong-bu could freely use, and it had a high public value due to its ease of accessibility.