• 천문학논총
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2016

We study the manufacturers of the astronomical instruments invented as part of the so-called Ganui-Dae (astronomical platform) project in the reign of King Sejong (1418-1450) of the Joseon dynasty. The main purpose of this project was to compile the Chiljeongsan-Naepyeon, a Korean calendar, that lasted for 5.5 years from 1432 to 1438. Through this project, a total of 17 astronomical instruments such as the armillary sphere, celestial globe, and auto-striking clepsydra were developed. It is generally known that most of them were manufactured by Lee Cheon (李蕆, 1376-1451) and Jang Yeong-Sil (蔣英實, fl. 1423-1442). In this study, we investigate the accounts of the Veritable Records of King Sejong, Munjong, and Sejo, focusing on the inscription written out to memorize the completion of the Ganui-Dae project. We found that at least 12 persons took part in manufacturing the astronomical instruments of the Ganui-Dae project. Lee Cheon was involved in the production of four instruments, while Jang Yeong-Sil was involved in two; therefore, it seems that the achievement of Jang Yeong-Sil was overestimated. We also found that Jeong Cho (鄭招, ?-1434) was a scientist and Lee Cheon was an engineer in the early phase of the Ganui-Dae project, while King Sejong and Yi Sun-Ji (李純之, 1406-1465) played major role in the late phase. According to our study, King Sejong and Yi Sun-Ji were involved in the production of at least seven and five instruments, respectively. In conclusion, we believe that this study will be helpful to understand the practical manufacturers of the astronomical instruments invented during the Ganui-Dae project in the Joseon dynasty.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.221-232
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• 2012

We analyzed the manufacturing procedure, specifications, repair history, and details of celestial movements of the water-hammering type $Honsang$ (celestial globe). Results from our study on the remaining $Honsangs$ in China and Japan and on the reconstruction models in Korea were applied to our conceptual design of the water-hammering type $Honsang$. A $Honui$ (armillary sphere) and $Honsang$ using the water-hammering method were manufactured in $Joseon$ in 1435 (the 17th year of King $Sejong$). $Jang$ $Yeong-Sil$ developed the $Honsang$ system based on the water-operation method of $Shui$ $y{\ddot{u}}n$ $i$ $hsiang$ $t'ai$ in China. Water-operation means driving water wheels using a water flow. The most important factor in this type of operation is the precision of the water clock and the control of the water wheel movement. The water-hammering type $Honsang$ in $Joseon$ probably adopted the $Cheonhyeong$ (天衡; oriental escapement device) system of $Shui$ $y{\ddot{u}}n$ $i$ $hsiang$ $t'ai$ in China and the overflow mechanism of $Jagyeongnu$ (striking clepsydra) in $Joseon$, etc. In addition to the $Cheonryun$ system, more gear instruments were needed to stage the rotation of the $Honsang$ globe and the sun's movement. In this study, the water-hammering mechanism is analyzed in the structure of a water clock, a water wheel, the $Cheonhyeong$ system, and the $Giryun$ system, as an organically working operation mechanism. We expect that this study will serve as an essential basis for studies on $Heumgyeonggaknu$, the water-operating astronomical clock, and other astronomical clocks in the middle and latter parts of the $Joseon$ dynasty.

• 천문학논총
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.141-154
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• 2010

In the beginning of the Joseon dynasty, the Royal Astronomical Bureau (觀象監, shortly RAB) was established. After the double RAB had settled down by King Sejong (世宗), it continued to function until 1907. Before the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, the Joseon court had the Inner RAB in the Gyeongbok Palace (景福宮) and the Outer RAB in the Northen District Gwangwha-Bang (北部廣化坊) at the western side of the Changdeuk Palace (昌德宮). In the reign of King Sukjong (肅宗) the double system of the RAB was transformed into the Geumho-Gate (金虎門) Outer RAB and the Gaeyang-Gate (開陽門) Outer RAB. During the reconstruction of the Gyeongbok Palace in the early reign of King Gojong (高宗), the Gaeyang-Gate Outer RAB was replaced by the Yeongchu-Gate (迎秋門) Outer RAB in 1865. All RAB had the Royal Astronomical Observatory (觀天臺, RAO hereinafter), so called the Soganui-platform (小簡儀臺) on which the Soganui (小簡儀) has been put. The Soganui (小簡儀) is a small simplified armillary sphere. While the Gwangwha-Bang RAO handed down from the reign of King Sejong still exists, other RAOs, such as Gyeongbok Palace RAO, Gaeyang-Gate and Yeongchu-Gate RAOs, do not remain. According to our study, the Changgyeong Palace (昌慶宮) RAO was not indeed the RAO with the Soganui.