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A Relative Study of 3D Digital Record Results on Buried Cultural Properties (매장문화재 자료에 대한 3D 디지털 기록 결과 비교연구)

  • KIM, Soohyun;LEE, Seungyeon;LEE, Jeongwon;AHN, Hyoungki
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.55 no.1
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    • pp.175-198
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    • 2022
  • With the development of technology, the methods of digitally converting various forms of analog information have become common. As a result, the concept of recording, building, and reproducing data in a virtual space, such as digital heritage and digital reconstruction, has been actively used in the preservation and research of various cultural heritages. However, there are few existing research results that suggest optimal scanners for small and medium-sized relics. In addition, scanner prices are not cheap for researchers to use, so there are not many related studies. The 3D scanner specifications have a great influence on the quality of the 3D model. In particular, since the state of light reflected on the surface of the object varies depending on the type of light source used in the scanner, using a scanner suitable for the characteristics of the object is the way to increase the efficiency of the work. Therefore, this paper conducted a study on nine small and medium-sized buried cultural properties of various materials, including earthenware and porcelain, by period, to examine the differences in quality of the four types of 3D scanners. As a result of the study, optical scanners and small and medium-sized object scanners were the most suitable digital records of the small and medium-sized relics. Optical scanners are excellent in both mesh and texture but have the disadvantage of being very expensive and not portable. The handheld method had the advantage of excellent portability and speed. When considering the results compared to the price, the small and medium-sized object scanner was the best. It was the photo room measurement that was able to obtain the 3D model at the lowest cost. 3D scanning technology can be largely used to produce digital drawings of relics, restore and duplicate cultural properties, and build databases. This study is meaningful in that it contributed to the use of scanners most suitable for buried cultural properties by material and period for the active use of 3D scanning technology in cultural heritage.

Distribution Status of Invasive Alien Species (Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852)) Using Biomonitoring with Environmental DNA in South Korea (생물모니터링 및 환경유전자(eDNA)를 이용한 침입외래종 미국가재(Procambarus clarkii)의 한국분포 현황)

  • Jung, Sang Woo;Lee, Jae-Ha;Kawai, Tadashi;Kim, Phil-Jae;Kim, SuHwan
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.36 no.4
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    • pp.368-380
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    • 2022
  • Biomonitoring of an invasive alien crayfish species, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852), was performed from February to October 2021, along with environmental DNA analysis, at five locations including Wanju-gun, Hampyeong-gun, Naju-si, Gurye-gun, and Cheongju-si. For the investigation, an umbrella-shaped trap for adults and a hand net for young crayfish were used, and 8 to 10L of freshwater was collected for eDNA analysis. The current status and past distributional records of crayfish in Korea were analyzed along with benthic macroinvertebrates at each survey site. As a result of the investigation, a total of 122 individuals were identified, and Hampyeong-gun recorded the largest number of populations with 59 individuals (48.36%) and the highest environmental DNA (eDNA). The frequency of appearance of P. clarkii was highest in May. The ratio of females to males was 21:5, and the body size was 72.2±21.1mm for female, 80.5±15.6mm for male, and 25.3±9.8mm for young crayfish. P. clarkii introduced into Korea is mainly spreading in the southwest region and it has not been observed in Seoul where there had been a record of appearance in the past. No external symbiosis (Branchiobdellida) of P. clarkii has been identified, and P. clarkii that has appeared in Korea was presumed to be imported from Japan. There are more than eight kinds of exotic crayfish distributed in Korea, and among them, the marbled crayfish (P. virginalis) was identified as a harmful species to the ecosystem of Korea by the Ministry of Environment in 2021. The identified species of benthic macroinvertebrates inhabiting the survey area where P. clarkii has appeared were 69 belonging to 39 families, 15 orders, five classes, and three phyla. Among them, Odonata were the most abundant (16 spp.; 24.62%), followed by Coleoptera (11 spp.; 16.92%) and Hemiptera (11 spp.; 16.92%). In the survey area, one Korean endemic species (Rhoenanthus coreanus), one species (Helophorus auriculatus) classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the Korean Red List, and six species of Crustaceans appeared. In the functional feeding group, the predators appeared predominantly while in habitat oriented group, the climbers appeared to be abundant. It was confirmed that P. clarkii in the survey area prefers an area rich in aquatic vegetation with waterside vegetation, and has high resistance to turbid water quality. The omnivore invader P. clarkii is expected to maintain a competitive relationship with carnivorous benthic macroinvertebrates that are predominant in the same species, and is expected to continue to generate ecosystem disturbance along the food chains.

Changes in Construction and Characteristics during the Period of Foundation and Change of the Garden Pond Site in Guhwang-dong, Gyeongju (경주 구황동 원지(九黃洞 園池) 유적 창건 및 변화 시기의 조영과 성격 변화)

  • KIM, Hyungsuk
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.55 no.3
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    • pp.102-118
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    • 2022
  • Gyeongju, the capital of Silla, is the very essence of the culture and technology of the thousand-year-reign of Silla. However, few studies have been conducted on the landscape sites of the capital of Silla other than Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, due to the lack of related data. Therefore, this study examined the construction characteristics and nature of the garden pond in Guhwang-dong, whose complete appearance was identified through excavation following Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. Since the excavation of the garden pond in Guhwang-dong, Gyeongju, there have been disagreements in academia as to whether it is a palace pond or a temple pond of Bunhwangsa Temple. Considering the unique characteristic of the garden pond that it is divided into two periods, it was interpreted that it would have functioned as a ritual facility related to Ryong (oriental dragon) belief in the 6th to 7th centuries, the first period, and as a garden pond with enhanced landscaping functions in the 8th to 9th centuries, the second period. In addition, it is highly probable that it was the site of Cheongyeongung Palace (青淵宮) and Jochujeong Pavilion (造秋亭) mentioned in the literature records. The "ㄹ"- shaped waterway, a characteristic facility of the first period, was found; however, considering its width and depth, it is insufficient to conclude that it was a simple drainage facility. Rather, it is more likely that it functioned as a passageway for the conceptual entry of Ryong during Ryong rituals. Furthermore, some have suggested that it may have been a ceremony-related Yusang-goksu (流觴曲水) facility. These facilities related to Ryong rituals were reorganized in the second period. Specifically, the nature of the garden pond was changed centered on the landscaping function in connection with the addition of a curved revetment, garden stone, and pavilion buildings, and the dismantlement of the "ㄹ"-shaped waterway and hexagonal building. As for nature, it can be regarded as a royal facility in terms of decorative elements including the ritual function of the first period and the gwimyeonwa (ghost face tiles) of the second period. Judging from the fact that the upper part of the embankment adjacent to the west side of the site was removed, it is very apparent that the main building was located on the upper part of the embankment. There would not have been a large-scale building site because it served the functions of ritual and recreation, rather than being the residence of the king.

A Study on the Types of Tree Management in Modern Palace Using Photographs and Expert Interviews (사진과 전문가 인터뷰를 통해 추론한 근대 궁궐의 수목관리 판단 연구)

  • Choi, Jin-seo;Kim, Choong-Sik
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.51 no.2
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    • pp.94-102
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    • 2023
  • The Florence Charter, established in 1981 by the ICOMOS-IFLA International Commission on Historic Gardens, considered the historic garden as a plant-dominated architectural composition, a perpetual balance between the artist and the artisan's desire to remain unaltered in perpetuity. Trees, the main component of the garden, require continuous management as they repeat their creation and calling according to the cycle of the seasons and accordingly, it is suggested that management to maintain the appearance of trees in Korean palaces was an indispensable element. Although it is an important matter to historically verify the tree management techniques of the palaces of the past, research has been difficult due to the absence of historical records and the disconnection of life due to the Japanese colonial period. In addition, according to the view that trees were not generally managed in the palace, research on palace tree management techniques has not been conducted so far. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether or not the tree management of the palaces was performed in the past through expert interviews based on photographs taken in modern times. With the identification of tree species and pruning through in-depth interviews with experts using photographs taken in the modern period, the results are as follows. First, it was found that the shapes of trees and leaves could be identified through photographs and by observing the phenomena caused by planting and pruning, it was possible to estimate whether or not the tree management was implemented in the modern palace. Second, as a result of in-depth interviews with 8 experts in 4 fields, it was possible to determine the tree species and pruning status, purpose, and method. There was no significant difference in opinions between groups, and the evidence was clearly presented. Third, the type of management of trees in the palace was mainly found to be determination of the types of tree, removal of hazardous factors of trees, and management of lower vegetation and through the photographs of Jondeokjeong and Gwanwanjeong, it was confirmed that the trees were managed even before the Japanese colonial era, considering the time of filming. Based on the photographs taken, it was possible to estimate whether the trees were managed before the Japanese colonial period through expert interviews. However, it could not be clarified due to lack of historical materials as to whether it was carried out on its own according to the circumstances of the times or by the Japanese Empire. Still, in this study, evidence was obtained to refute the view that trees of the palace were not managed in the past through the collected data. Expert opinions supporting this view were collected to make the conclusion. In addition, based on the general theory of pruning, an empirical review of expert opinions was conducted to secure the reliability of the research results.

Re-review of the Structure of the Jeongsa-Kisun (Senior Envoy Ship) in the Joseon Dynasty from the Perspective of Professional Shipbuilding Engineering (조선통신사 정사 기선(騎船) 구조의 조선기술 연구)

  • HONG Sunjae
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.55 no.4
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    • pp.242-275
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    • 2022
  • This study tries to reveal the structure of the "Kisun"(senior envoy ship) taken by senior envoys for the 10th to 12th visits to Japan from the perspective of professional shipbuilding engineering focusing on the theory of the ship in the travel logs of royal envoys to Japan (Sahaengrok) written by Joseon Tongsinsa that includes 12 visits to Japan for about 200 years from 1607 to 1811. The results of the study showed that the size of Kisun for the 10th to 12th envoy visits was 19 Pa (把) and a half in length and 6 Pa (把) and 2 Cheok (尺) in width. The height of the Sampan was found to be 2 Pa (把) and 1 Cheok (尺) based on records in Gyemisusarok and Jeungjeonggyorinji. The structure of Kisun was different for each visit but, it was found that Kisun was mainly composed of a main deck, bow (bow plate, stem plate), stern (stern plate), Sampan, Meonge (support), Garyong (support), Sinbang, Gungji, deck, two masts and sail, Gurejjak (mast support), Panok, stern Panok, Taru, dodger, anchor reel, stairs, rail, rudder, oar, and anchor. In addition, wood and iron nails were used together for connection. It was also found that the sail was made of herbage and cotton. This study found that Kisun, which was operated for the 10th and 12th envoy visits, was big in terms of length and height among the Joseon Tongsinsa fleet to show the authority and dignity of Joseon and that it had passages outside on the sides of the vessel and paddles were located between the sides and Panok structure and rails were installed on four sides on the Panok, improving stability and linear beauty. The walls of Panok were decorated with the royal Dancheong pattern and fancy murals. In addition, it was found that they wished for a safe voyage by drawing a demon face on the bow. Therefore, it was revealed that Kisun, which was taken by envoys as recorded in travel logs, was made by the state and equipped with structures and functions that enabled international voyages.

A Research of Cultural Heritage and Business Value of the Juk-Bang-Ryeum(Fishing Instrument made-by Bamboo Weir) (죽방렴의 문화유산적 가치와 비즈니스적 가치 탐색 연구)

  • Kang, Myeong Hwa;Lee, Kyung-Joo;Kwon, Hojong;Jeong, Dae-Yul
    • Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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    • v.8 no.12
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    • pp.425-435
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    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study is to investigate the cultural value as well as business value of Juk-Bang-Ryeum(fishing instrument made by bamboo weir) by the investigation of remains in Gyeongnam Sacheon area and reviewing various historical literatures. The research will contribute to make back data necessary for the registration of World Heritage(UNESCO) and Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems(FAO). Fisheries, along with agriculture, have been great significance in human history. In particular, the Fisheries has been considered very important industry due to the geopolitical characteristics of our country surrounded by the sea. We can imagine may types of fishing practices and instruments at the agricultural age. Nonetheless, there are a few fishery heritages such as collecting and hunting tools that remains today. Fortunately, there are many Juk-Bang-Ryeum which is actually operate now from the past 500 years ago at the The Sacheon and Namhae areas. We could found some literature records about it in the historical ancient literatures. We could also infer that Juk-Bang-Ryeum was an important fishery resource of the country for a long time. It was built on the basis of scientific principles to capture fishes using the rapid tide of the natural geological straits, and it prove the wisdom of our ancestors. We also could found some unique cultural heritages that was important to the local community. Naturally, it has been managed as an important asset for the residents. In addition to such historical and humanistic values, it also has business and educational value. It can be useful to understand scientific fishery principles as well as fishery experience field. It has business value as an important tourism resource in the region in connection with historical relics and geological environment resources. In conclusion, it is a valuable asset to be handed down as a valuable cultural heritage.

Interior Settings of a Chamber and a Temporary Place of Enshrinement at Yeonghuijeon and Features of the Five Peak Screens for the Hall (영희전 감실 및 이안소의 공간 구성과 오봉산병풍의 특징)

  • SON Myenghee
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.56 no.2
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    • pp.100-121
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    • 2023
  • This paper examines the interior settings of a chamber and of a temporary place of enshrinement at Yeonghuijeon (永禧殿, Hall of Eternal Happiness), the representative official portrait hall in which portraits of early and late Joseon kings were enshrined. Also, it discusses the features of the Five Peak screens used therein. The physical environment of a chamber at Yeonghuijeon mainly consisted of a four-panel folding screen with a painting of Five Peaks and a large wooden platform, which was adorned with dragon and lion patterns and attached to lotus-leaf column balustrades. The Five Peak screen was installed on a large platform in the shape of ⊓, spreading across the second and third panels on the back and folding out on the first and fourth panels on the right and left sides. When a portrait was enshrined in a temporary place, a simpler and smaller platform with railings was used. A four-panel folding screen of the Five Peak painting was installed in the same way as in a chamber, but was unfolded around a smaller platform behind it. A royal portrait was displayed in each chamber, whereas a case in which a portrait was rolled up was put on the smaller platform in a temporary place. The Five Peak screens for a chamber and a temporary place were all large four-panel folding screens with two wide panels in the middle and two narrow panels on each side, and only strips of silk were mounted on the four edges of the screens without additional wide lower-side mountings. While screens for the chamber used patterned silk for mounting and white paper for backing on screen frames, screens for the temporary place used plain silk and recycled failed test papers for mounting and backing, respectively. By examining records in the literature on the Five Peak screens for Yeonghuijeon, this paper highlights two Five Peak screens, both of which lost their provenance from the hall. The structures of the two screens reflected the way they were to be installed at the hall. Furthermore, this paper assumes that a Five Peak screen, which had been unfolded on the throne in the main hall of Changdeokgung Palace after the 1960s, was produced in 1858 for the purpose of temporarily enshrining King Sunjo's portrait due to the fact that failed test papers of the 1840s were laid taut over the frame.

A Comparative Study on Awareness of Middle School Students, School Parents, and Human Resources Directors in Industrial Institutions about Admission into Specialized High Schools and Career after Graduating from Specialized High Schools (특성화고 진학 및 졸업 후 진로에 대한 중학생, 학부모, 산업체 인사 담당자의 인식 비교 연구)

  • Lee, Byung-Wook;Ahn, Jae-Yeong;Lee, Chan-Joo;Lee, Sang-Hyun
    • 대한공업교육학회지
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.48-67
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    • 2013
  • This study tried to suggest implications about operation direction of specialized high schools (SHS) by researching awareness of middle school students (MSS), school parents (SP), human resources directors in industrial institutions (HRDII) who will be the main users of SHS education, about entering SHS and career after graduating from SHS. Seniors of middle school, SP and HRDII in Asan, Chungnam were the subject of this survey research. The summary of the result of this study is as follow: First, MSS and SP usually hoped to enter general high schools rather than vocational education schools such as SHS, meister high schools, and MSS considered school records and SP considered aptitude and talent for the factors to choose high school. Second, MSS, SP, and HRDII recognized purposes of SHS as improvement of talent and aptitude, and getting a job. As for positive images of SHS, they recognized it as applying talent and aptitude to life early, getting good jobs easily, fast independence after graduation, and learning excellent technologies, and as for negative images of SHS, they recognized it as social prejudices and discrimination, students with bad school records enter them, disadvantages about promotion and wages, and being unfavorable for entering universities. They also recognized education of SHS as being effective for improvement of basic and executive ability and key competency, development of creative human resources, and improvement of right personality and courteous manners. Third, many MSS and SP showed intention to enter SHS if it is established in Asan. They wished to enter SHS because they would like to apply their aptitude and talent to life early, learn excellent skill, and hope for early employment, on the other hand, they did not wish to enter SHS because it was not suited for their aptitude and talent, awareness about SHS is low, it is unfavorable to enter universities, and there were social prejudices and discrimination. They also similarly hoped for getting jobs and entering universities after graduating from SHS. And the reason they wanted to get a job was usually because they want to be successful by advancing into society early, or because it is still hard to get a job even after graduate from the university, on the other hand, the reason they want to enter university is because is usually in-depth education about major and social discrimination about level of education. The ability to perform duties forms the greatest part of the employment standard that MSS, SP, and HRDII aware. MSS and SP usually hoped for industrial, home economics and housework and commercial majors in SHS, and considered aptitude and talent, the promising future, and being favorable for employment for choosing major. The reason HRDII hire SHS student was to develop student into talent of industrial institution, ability of student, and need for manpower with high school graduation level, and there were also partial answer that they can hire SHS student if they have ability to perform duties. The proposals about operation direction of SHS according to the results above are as follow: SHS should diversify major and curriculum to meet various requirements of student and parents, establish SHS admission system based on career guidance, and improve student's ability to perform duties by establishing work-based learning. The Government should organize work-to-school policy to enable practical career development of students from SHS, and promote relevant policy to reinforcing SHS education rather than quantitative evaluation such as employment rate, and cooperative support from each government departments is required to make manpower with skill related to SHS to get proper evaluation and treatment.

A Study of The Medical Classics in the '$\bar{A}yurveda$' ('아유르베다'($\bar{A}yurveda$)의 의경(醫經)에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Ki-Wook;Park, Hyun-Kuk;Seo, Ji-Young
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.91-117
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    • 2007
  • Through a simple study of the medical classics in the '$\bar{A}yurveda$', we have summarized them as follows. 1) Traditional Indian medicine started in the Ganges river area at about 1500 B. C. E. and traces of medical science can be found in the "Rigveda" and "Atharvaveda". 2) The "Charaka" and "$Su\acute{s}hruta$(妙聞集)", ancient texts from India, are not the work of one person, but the result of the work and errors of different doctors and philosophers. Due to the lack of historical records, the time of Charaka or $Su\acute{s}hruta$(妙聞)s' lives are not exactly known. So the completion of the "Charaka" is estimated at 1st${\sim}$2nd century C. E. in northwestern India, and the "$Su\acute{s}hruta$" is estimated to have been completed in 3rd${\sim}$4th century C. E. in central India. Also, the "Charaka" contains details on internal medicine, while the "$Su\acute{s}hruta$" contains more details on surgery by comparison. 3) '$V\bar{a}gbhata$', one of the revered Vriddha Trayi(triad of the ancients, 三醫聖) of the '$\bar{A}yurveda$', lived and worked in about the 7th century and wrote the "$A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ $A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ $h\d{r}daya$ $sa\d{m}hit\bar{a}$ $samhit\bar{a}$(八支集)" and "$A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ Sangraha $samhit\bar{a}$(八心集)", where he tried to compromise and unify the "Charaka" and "$Su\acute{s}hruta$". The "$A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ Sangraha $samhit\bar{a}$" was translated into Tibetan and Arabic at about the 8th${\sim}$9th century, and if we generalize the medicinal plants recorded in each the "Charaka", "$Su\acute{s}hruta$" and the "$A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ Sangraha $samhit\bar{a}$", there are 240, 370, 240 types each. 4) The 'Madhava' focused on one of the subjects of Indian medicine, '$Nid\bar{a}na$' ie meaning "the cause of diseases(病因論)", and in one of the copies found by Bower in 4th century C. E. we can see that it uses prescriptions from the "BuHaLaJi(布哈拉集)", "Charaka", "$Su\acute{s}hruta$". 5) According to the "Charaka", there were 8 branches of ancient medicine in India : treatment of the body(kayacikitsa), special surgery(salakya), removal of alien substances(salyapahartka), treatment of poison or mis-combined medicines(visagaravairodhikaprasamana), the study of ghosts(bhutavidya), pediatrics(kaumarabhrtya), perennial youth and long life(rasayana), and the strengthening of the essence of the body(vajikarana). 6) The '$\bar{A}yurveda$', which originated from ancient experience, was recorded in Sanskrit, which was a theorization of knowledge, and also was written in verses to make memorizing easy, and made medicine the exclusive possession of the Brahmin. The first annotations were 1060 for the "Charaka", 1200 for the "$Su\acute{s}hruta$", 1150 for the "$A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ Sangraha $samhit\bar{a}$", and 1100 for the "$Nid\bar{a}na$", The use of various mineral medicines in the "Charaka" or the use of mercury as internal medicine in the "$A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ Sangraha $samhit\bar{a}$", and the palpation of the pulse for diagnosing in the '$\bar{A}yurveda$' and 'XiZhang(西藏)' medicine are similar to TCM's pulse diagnostics. The coexistence with Arabian 'Unani' medicine, compromise with western medicine and the reactionism trend restored the '$\bar{A}yurveda$' today. 7) The "Charaka" is a book inclined to internal medicine that investigates the origin of human disease which used the dualism of the 'Samkhya', the natural philosophy of the 'Vaisesika' and the logic of the 'Nyaya' in medical theories, and its structure has 16 syllables per line, 2 lines per poem and is recorded in poetry and prose. Also, the "Charaka" can be summarized into the introduction, cause, judgement, body, sensory organs, treatment, pharmaceuticals, and end, and can be seen as a work that strongly reflects the moral code of Brahmin and Aryans. 8) In extracting bloody pus, the "Charaka" introduces a 'sharp tool' bloodletting treatment, while the "$Su\scute{s}hruta$" introduces many surgical methods such as the use of gourd dippers, horns, sucking the blood with leeches. Also the "$Su\acute{s}hruta$" has 19 chapters specializing in ophthalmology, and shows 76 types of eye diseases and their treatments. 9) Since anatomy did not develop in Indian medicine, the inner structure of the human body was not well known. The only exception is 'GuXiangXue(骨相學)' which developed from 'Atharvaveda' times and the "$A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ Sangraha $samhit\bar{a}$". In the "$A\d{s}\d{t}\bar{a}nga$ Sangraha $samhit\bar{a}$"'s 'ShenTiLun(身體論)' there is a thorough listing of the development of a child from pregnancy to birth. The '$\bar{A}yurveda$' is not just an ancient traditional medical system but is being called alternative medicine in the west because of its ability to supplement western medicine and, as its effects are being proved scientifically it is gaining attention worldwide. We would like to say that what we have researched is just a small fragment and a limited view, and would like to correct and supplement any insufficient parts through more research of new records.

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Semantic Interpretation of the Name "Cheomseongdae" (첨성대 이름의 의미 해석)

  • Chang, Hwalsik
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.53 no.4
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    • pp.2-31
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    • 2020
  • CheomSeongDae (瞻星臺) is a stone structure built in Gyeongju, the former Silla Dynasty capital, during the reign of Queen Seondeok (632~647AD). There exist dozens of hypotheses regarding its original purpose. Depending on to whom you ask, the answer could be a celestial observatory, a religious altar, a Buddhist stupa, a monumental tower symbolizing scientific knowledge, and so on. The most common perception of the structure among lay people is a stargazing tower. Historians, however, have suggested that it was intended as "a gateway to the heavens", specifically the Trāyastriṃśa or the second of the six heavens of Kāmadhātu located on the top of Mountain Sumeru. The name "Cheom-seong-dae" could be interpreted in many different ways. 'Cheom (瞻)' could refer to looking up, staring, or admiring, etc.; 'Seong (星)' could mean a star, heaven, night, etc.; and 'heaven' in that context can be a physical or religious reference. 'Dae (臺)' usually refers to a high platform on which people stand or things are placed. Researchers from the science fields often read 'cheom-seong' as 'looking at stars'; while historians read it as 'admiring the Trāyastriṃśa' or 'adoring Śakra'. Śakra is said to be the ruler of Trāyastriṃśa' who governs the Four Heavenly Kings in the Cāturmahārājika heaven, the first of the six heavens of Kāmadhātu. Śakra is the highest authority of the heavenly kings in direct contact with humankind. This paper examined the usages of 'cheom-seong' in Chinese literature dated prior to the publication of 『Samguk Yusa』, a late 13th century Korean Buddhist historical book that contains the oldest record of the structure among all extant historical texts. I found the oldest usage of cheom-seong (瞻星臺) in 『Ekottara Āgama』, a Buddhist script translated into Chinese in the late 4th century, and was surprised to learn that its meaning was 'looking up at the brightness left by Śakra'. I also found that 'cheom-seong' had been incorporated in various religious contexts, such as Hinduism, Confucianism, Buddhist, Christianism, and Taoism. In Buddhism, there was good, bad, and neutral cheom-seong. Good cheom-seong meant to look up to heaven in the practice of asceticism, reading the heavenly god's intentions, and achieving the mindfulness of Buddhism. Bad cheom-seong included all astrological fortunetelling activities performed outside the boundaries of Buddhism. Neutral cheom-seong is secular. It may help people to understand the nature of the physical world, but was considered to have little meaning unless relating to the spiritual world of Buddhism. Cheom-seong had been performed repetitively in the processes of constructing Buddhist temples in China. According to Buddhist scripts, Queen Māyā of Sakya, the birth mother of Gautama Buddha, died seven days after the birth of Buddha, and was reborn in the Trāyastriṃśa heaven. Buddha, before reaching nirvana, ascended from Jetavana to Trāyastriṃśa and spent three months together with his mother. Gautama Buddha then returned to the human world, stepping upon the stairs built by Viśvakarman, the deity of the creative power in Trāyastriṃśa. In later years, King Asoka built a stupa at the site where Buddha descended. Since then, people have believed that the stairway to the heavens appears at a Buddhist stupa. Carefully examining the paragraphic structure of 『Samguk Yusa』's records on Cheomseongdae, plus other historical records, the fact that the alignment between the tomb of Queen Seondeok and Cheomseongdae perfectly matches the sunrise direction at the winter solstice supports this paper's position that Chemseongdae, built in the early years of Queen SeonDeok's reign (632~647AD), was a gateway to the Trāyastriṃśa heaven, just like the stupa at the Daci Temple (慈恩寺) in China built in 654. The meaning of 'Cheom-seong-dae' thus turns out to be 'adoring Trāyastriṃśa stupa', not 'stargazing platform'.