• Archives of design research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.209-220
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• 2004

Folk painting was prevalent among working classes in the cultural territory of chinese characters including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Other than Gilsangmunja-do(lucky and vulgar illustrated Chinese Character), the most popular of its kind, there are various types of different Munja-do(illustrated Chinese Character) which is more shaped/modeled. Chinese Nianhua style was popular in various parts of China from late Ming Dynasty to early Qing Dynasty, and they were conveyed to neighboring countries after the 17th century, where they adopted unique tradition of each country. Acquiring theme from Chinese characters, these Chinese Nianhua or Munja-do are designed by making images into characters or characters into images. They express the invisible 'Cosmological Taoism' as a visible shape and line. This kind of symbol system, using character as a subject matter, can only be witnessed in the cultural territory of chinese characters by the use of ideograms. It is worth of paying attention today because the uniqueness of each country's style reflects diverse life styles of the contemporary civilization. Specifically, values of Munja-do as a traditional culture may not be underestimated in today's society where culture has become the center of concern. Munja-do in Korea should be carefully examined since Korea has had a very unique Munja-do culture that cannot be found from other countries. Therefore, by comparing Munja-do styles of today's the cultural territory of chinese characters countries, we may enlighten ourselves on our tradition and flourish our cultural contents.

• Archives of design research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.15-26
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• 2004

After 19th century of Chosun Dynasty Gilsnagmunja-do such as longevity, good fortune, health, well-being which was explosively prevalent and Hyojemunja-do which was panoramically decorated with eight characters of filial piety, fraternal devotion, loyalty, trust, courtesy, commitment, integrity and humility for enlightment of the public under the name of political ideology are consistency or same origin in traditional concept of Orient. Therefore, in view of Western standard, they are showing an illustration and a photograph of characters in design. There are some differences in way of expressions. They were considerably popular not only in Chosun Dynasty but in China, Japan and Vietnam where belong to the cultural territory of chinese characters. Though, Hyojemunja-do which was built-up in the late period of Chosun Dynasty and developed fro chinese mode is a very peculiar iconography and mode of Chosun Dynasty. Hyojemunja-do is also classified from Chinese Nianhua designed for supply of Conficianism ethics or Folk Painting designed for practical use in chinese cultural territory. In the late period of 19th century, Hyojemunja-do which was re-built with creative modeling has been developed in peculiar mode in the province of Kyunggi, Kangwon(Kwan dong region), Kwanseo region, Jeju island and Namdo region by the diversified level of painters.