Round 4 heritage comparison

Also known as Jikji (other names are Jikji simche yojeol, Jikji simche, Jikji simgyeong), this volume contains the essentials of Zen Buddhism compiled by the Baegun in the late Goryeo period and was printed the old Heungdeok-sa temple in Cheongju city, using movable metal types in July 1377. While some earlier metal type printings were mentioned in the old Korean books, this book is the world's oldest movable metal type printing evidence available and signifies an important technical change in the print history of humanity. Registration Year: 2001 Submission Year: 2000 Submitted by: Republic of Korea Document type: Books

Republic of Korea - Buljo jikji simche yo jeol (vol.II) ... The teaching of many Buddhas and Great priests was carefully chosen so that everyone can come to the core of Zen. Other names of this work are Jikji simche yojeol, Jikji simche, Jikji simgyeong, and Jikji. This book was printed at the old Heungdeok-sa(興德寺) temple in Cheongju city, using movable metal types in July 1377. Priest Seokcan and Daldam helped the publication while female priest Myodeok offered a donation for the project. Jikji was printed in two volumes; the first volume has not been found yet and the second volume has been kept in the National library of France. While some earlier metal type printings were mentioned in the old Korean books, this book, Jikji, is the world’s oldest movable metal type printing evidence available and shows us an important technical change in printing history of humanity. ... Background of the writing: Buljo jikji simche yojeol was published in the seventh lunar month of 1377. Examining the forwards by Yi Saek and Seong Sa-dal and ... thus maintaining the Goryeo Dynasty tradition of printing with movable metal type. Jikji was printed with metal type in 1377 at the Heungdeok-sa Temple, when there was a great demand for learning the Zen way of Priest Baegun. However, the number of copies was limited because of the methods of typesetting and printing. When the original objective of propagation proved difficult, xylographic printing of the book, together with The Analects of Priest Baegun was carried out the following year (1378) at the Chwiam-sa Temple, paid for with lay donations. Accordingly, it might be said that the edition of Jikji printed with movable metal type has its significance in enabling us to understand the characteristics of the history of printing using metal types during the Goryeo dynasty, while the woodblock printing of the same book had value in propagating the Zen way of Baegun. ... Jikji(vol.II) is a typographic book printed from movable metal type. The priest Baegun, whose Buddhist name was Gyeonghan, contributed to its compilation. Jikji(vol.II) is made up of 39 leaves, printed on both sides, with one front cover and one back cover, It is 24.6cm high and 17.0cm wide and is bound with five saddle stitches, following the style of traditional Korean bookbinding. It is larger than ... Jikji(vol.II) is the world’s oldest existing book printed with movable metal type. Information of the book, chronologically arranged, is as follows: ... , and the computer. Printing has had the broadest influence. Woodblock printing has developed for the purpose of propagation of Buddhism at the beginning of the 8th century in Korea. Buddhist sutras were carved under the auspices of the kingdom and representatives of the Buddhists. Huge projects to print Korea Tripitaka were carried out in the 11th and 13th centuries. The blocks were carved on both sides for a total of 162,000 folio pages. When valuable books of many libraries were lost in fires at the beginning of the 12th century, a new printing method using movable metal type was invented at the beginning of the 13th century so that the lost books could be reprinted. Movable type continued to be used for making more expensive books – for example, books for selected people or books on specialized themes. Some of the examples are Nammyeong cheon hwasang songjeungdoga (Poems of Priest Nammyong) and Gogeum sangjeong yemun (Book on National Ceremony and Procedures), which are not extant today. One which still exists today is Jikji, which was printed at Cheongju Heungdeok sa Temple in July 1377. It is the oldest book printed with movable metal type in the world. This printing method influenced the history of Oriental printing, and it is thought that it spread to Nurenberg-Strassburg-Mainz via Tabriz. The fact that European alphabets consist of only twenty-some letters made it easier to produce the type, and the matrices could be easily reused. Europeans worked out European methods of printing with movable metal type and developed the German printing press, using type cast using a mixture of lead and antimony. Korean printers used brass type, which contains zinc. Zinc disappears very easily at high temperatures. The mechanization of printing brought about by the introduction of movable metal type has today been carried to its extreme with the development of computerized printing. In other words, the invention of printing with movable type was the turning point, which led to the transformation of the medieval mind into the modern one. In order to be able to study the development of printing with type and of communication, we have to cooperate to preserve the records of human achievement. Criterion 2 - Time: Jikji was written by Priest Baegun at Cheongju Heungdeok-sa Temple in September 1372, which was printed into the metal ones by his students Seokchan and Daldam under the auspices of Myodeok, who was a Buddhist nun. This was 70 years before the “42-Line Bible,” which was printed by Gutenberg in Germany between 1452 and 1455. Criterion 3 - Place: Cheongju Heungdeok-sa Temple, where Jikji was printed, was a Buddhist temple in which many relics were found in the course of earthwork for a housing project in the Uncheon area by the Korean Land Development Authority in 1985. The housing project was stopped and the area was excavated by a team from the Cheongju University Museum. Although we do not know the year the temple was built or its size, there is an inscription at the last page that the second volume of Jikji were printed with movable metal type at Cheongju Heungdeok sa Temple at the reign of King U in 1377. The time was 70 years earlier than the Gutenberg Bible printed in Germany. It was introduced in one of the articles of the UNESCO Courier in 1972 that the work is the oldest extant example of printing with movable metal type in the printing history of the world. However, no one knew the exact location of Heungdeok-sa Temple until a drum and Buddhist bowls made of bronze and inscribed with the word Heungdeok-sa Temple were unearthed. From excavations, we have found out the placement of the middle gate, a pagoda, the main hall and another large hall as well as some other buildings surrounding them. Here, archeologists had found a roof tile inscribed “Taejung Samnyeon(‘great works of three years’).” This would mean that the building of the temple started in the 11th year of King Munsung of Shilla Dynasty (849). After the excavation was completed, the site was designated Historic Site No. 315 and government budget were allocated to build the Cheongju Early Printings Museum, a restoration of the main temple hall, with eighteen supporting columns arranged in six rows of three and double eaves, and a three-story pagoda. The construction took five years, from 1987 to 1991. ... to the fast production and dissemination of books. It gave people an incentive to invent oil-based inks, which are optimal for printing. Secondary Criterion 1 – Integrity Although Buljo jikji simche yojeol consists of two books, only the second volume is currently kept at the National Library in France. It originally consists of 39 chapters, of which the first chapter is missing. Secondary Criterion 2 – Rarity Buljo jikji simche yojeol was printed with the movable metal type at Cheongju Heungdeok-sa Temple in Korea in July 1377. It is the oldest extant printing materials with movable metal printing type. ... Jikji was printed with movable metal printing type at Heungdeok-sa Temple in July 1377 and is the oldest extant example of printing with movable metal type. It was 70 years sooner than Gutenberg in German. ... The colophon of the book and the inscription at the end give the date of printing as 1377, the location of printing as the Cheongju city, the publisher as Heungdeok-sa Temple, and the printing technique as Juja (cast metal type).

# “Jikji”, a treasure of the world of printing Jikji is the oldest known book in the world printed with movable metal type. It was printed in 1377 in what is now the city of Cheongju (Republic of Korea), 78 years before the Gutenberg Bible. Päk un (1298-1374) Päk un hoa sañ čʹorok pulčo čʹikčʹi simčʹe yočōl (Jikji) – BnF, département des Manuscrits ... Dating from 1377, Jikji was printed in the Heungdeok-sa temple in Cheongju, using movable, cast metal characters. It is considered by the international community, including UNESCO, to be the oldest known document printed using this process. Jikji is also listed as one of South Korea’s national treasures (classification no. 1132 in 1992) and has been included in the Memory of the World Register since 4 September 2001. ... It was not until 1972 that it was once again put on display during the “International Book Year”, when it was recognised in the West as the oldest existing book printed with movable metal type. The following year, Jikji was presented alongside the rarest and most precious manuscripts of the Bibliothèque nationale at the exhibition Trésors d’Orient (Treasures of the Orient).

Baegun hwasang chorok buljo jikji simche yojeol (vol.II), the second volume of "Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests' Zen Teachings" - Memory of the World ... # Baegun hwasang chorok buljo jikji simche yojeol (vol.II), the second volume of "Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests' Zen Teachings" Also known as Jikji (other names are Jikji simche yojeol, Jikji simche, Jikji simgyeong), this volume contains the essentials of Zen Buddhism compiled by the Baegun in the late Goryeo period and was printed the old Heungdeok-sa temple in Cheongju city, using movable metal types in July 1377. While some earlier metal type printings were mentioned in the old Korean books, this book is the world's oldest movable metal type printing evidence available and signifies an important technical change in the print history of humanity. Registration Year: 2001 Submission Year: 2000 Submitted by: Republic of Korea ... - Submitted by: Republic of Korea - Collection Type: Books - Region: Asia and the Pacific

Jikji Global > Publication of Jikji > Inscription on the UNESCO’s Memory of the World ... In 1996, at the UNESCO Chungbuk Association’s academic seminar titled “UNESCO and Early Printing Culture”, a suggestion was first made to inscribe Heungdeoksa Temple’s metal type book Jikji on the UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Register. Jikji is the world’s oldest extant metal type print book, published at least 78 years earlier than Gutenberg’s 42-line Bible and 145 years earlier than China’s Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals, which demonstrates sufficient value as a world heritage. With the ceaseless efforts of relevant organizations including the Cheongju City government, Cheongju Early Printing Museum, Korean National Commission for UNESCO, and UNESCO Chungbuk Association, Jikji was inscribed on the MoW Register on September 4, 2001 in recognition of its value, following the evaluation process of 42 documentary heritage items submitted by 23 countries across the world at the fifth meeting of International Advisory Committee for UNESCO’s MoW Programme, which was convened in Cheongju from June 27 to 29, 2001. ... Following the inscription of Jikji on the MoW Register in 2001, the UNESCO/Jikji Prize was established in April 2004, further strengthening its global status. As it is the first prize in the world to honor documentary heritage and the only prize established by a local city government, it will also raise the profile of the city of Cheongju. ... The establishment of the prize was promoted to introduce the world to the precious values of Jikji, the oldest extant movable metal type book, namely its creative value as the invention of metal type, its historical value, its value as a means of sharing and spreading knowledge and information, and its artistic and cultural value. In addition, the establishment of the prize will herald the outstanding achievements of the Korean people to the world and highlight the potential of Korea and Cheongju to serve as global hubs of knowledge, information, and culture.

UNESCO World Heritage refers to both cultural and natural heritage sites registered on UNESCO World Heritage Centre’s World Heritage List. In November 1972, UNESCO adopted the “Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage” during the 17th session of the General Conference. Under the convention, the World Heritage committee established a World Heritage List that includes cultural and natural heritages with outstanding value, whose conservation is recognized to be in the interest of all humanity. As of October 2010, Korea had nine cultural heritage sites and one natural heritage site. In addition, UNESCO also has separate programs called “Memory of the World” and “Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” Korea has seven items listed on the “Memory of the World” register and eight listed on the “Masters of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” ... : Korea’s cultural heritage conveys a genuine sentiment of simplicity and peacefulness. The historical background of its heritage is diverse, encompassing the history of Korea from ancient times (Dolmen sites) to the Joseon Dynasty. The sites embody a wide variety of value, from a tidy and neat artistic spirit to scientific rationality, as witnessed in such traditional constructions as royal palaces and temples. A total of nine Korean cultural sites are registered on the list of World Cultural Heritage Sites including Jongmyo Shrine (1995); Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks (1995); Seokguram Grotto Bulguksa Temple (1995); Hwaseong Fortress (1997); Changdeokgung Palace Complex (1997); Gyeongju Historic Areas (2000); Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (2000); Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (2009); and, finally, Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong (2010). ... : An international assessment committee appointed by the UNESCO Secretary-General reviews the list of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity every two years with the mission of safeguarding and protecting intangible heritages such as language, culture, music, dance, games, myths, rituals, customs and handicrafts. A total of eight Korean intangible heritages are on the list, including: The Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine and its Music (2001); The Pansori Epic Chant (2003); The Gangneung Danoje Festival (2005); Ganggangsullae (2009); Namsadang Nori Performance (2009); Yeongsanjae (2009); Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut Shaman Ritual (2009); and the Cheoyongmu (2009). ... : Korea possesses scrupulous historical records and archives that have become profoundly valuable in the upholding of traditions and reflecting upon the political, social, economical, and cultural situations of long ago. These documents have been well preserved and as such, are precious assets to humanity. The Korean documents registered under UNESCO’s Memory of the World include the Hunminjeongum Manuscript (1997); Joseon Wangjo Sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) (1997); Seungjeongwon Ilgi, the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat (2001); Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo Jikji Simche Yojeol (vol.II), the Second Volume of “Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests’ Zen Teachings” (2001); Printing Woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana and Miscellaneous Buddhist Scriptures (2007); Uigwe: The Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty (2007); and Donguibogam: Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine (2009).

## MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER - NOMINATION FORM Republic of Korea - Buljo jikji simche yo jeol (vol.II) ... The teaching of many Buddhas and Great priests was carefully chosen so that everyone can come to the core of Zen. Other names of this work are Jikji simche yojeol, Jikji simche, Jikji simgyeong, and Jikji. This book was printed at the old Heungdeok-sa(興德寺) temple in Cheongju city, using movable metal types in July 1377. Priest Seokcan and Daldam helped the publication while female priest Myodeok offered a donation for the project. Jikji was printed in two volumes; the first volume has not been found yet and the second volume has been kept in the National library of France. ... 1.1 Name of documentary heritage: Buljo jikji simche yojeol(vol. II) The second volume of “Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests’ Zen Teachings” ... in Cheongju city, Korea. Collected in France ... Restoration of metal type of Jikji: A metal type professional Mr. O Guk-jin who was designated by the Korean government as important intangible cultural properties 101, restored the types of Jikji in 1996. The method of casting he used then was the beeswax casting method. He first experimented exhaustively with both methods, i.e., foundry sand casting because he found that no other method could restore the types used in printing Jikji. Hence, there can be no other opinions about the type casting method used for the book. ... Jikji(vol.II) is the world’s oldest existing book printed with movable metal type. Information of the book, chronologically arranged, is as follows: ... Korea were as follows ... 3. The book was placed on public display for the first time during the “International Book Year” in 1972. At this time, it was recognized as the oldest existing book printed with movable metal type. ... 8. In February ... metal type of Buljo jikji simche yojeol was replicated by Mr. O Guk-jin. 9. An international symposium on printing cultures of the East and West was held in September 1997 by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, the German Commission for UNESCO, and the Cheongju city. The fundamental objective of this symposium was to secure solid international recognition that Jikji is the world’s oldest existing book printed by movable metal type. ... Criterion 3 - Place: Cheongju Heungdeok-sa Temple, where Jikji was printed, was a Buddhist temple in which many relics were found in the course of earthwork for a housing project in the Uncheon area by the Korean Land Development Authority in 1985. The housing project was stopped and the area was excavated by a team from the Cheongju University Museum. Although we do not know the year the temple was built or its size, there is an inscription at the last page that the second volume of Jikji were printed with movable metal type at Cheongju Heungdeok sa Temple at the reign of King U in 1377. The time was 70 years earlier than the Gutenberg Bible printed in Germany. It was introduced in one of the articles of the UNESCO Courier in 1972 that the work is the oldest extant example of printing with movable metal type in the printing history of the world. However, no one knew the exact location of Heungdeok-sa Temple until a drum and Buddhist bowls made of bronze and inscribed with the word Heungdeok-sa Temple were unearthed. From excavations, we have found out the placement of the middle gate, a pagoda, the main hall and another large hall as well as some other buildings surrounding them. Here, archeologists had found a roof tile inscribed “Taejung Samnyeon(‘great works of three years’).” This would mean that the building of the temple started in the 11th year of King Munsung of Shilla Dynasty (849). After the excavation was completed, the site was designated Historic Site No. 315 and government budget were allocated to build the Cheongju Early Printings Museum, a restoration of the main temple hall, with eighteen supporting columns arranged in six rows of three and double eaves, and a three-story pagoda. The construction took five years, from 1987 to 1991. ... Buljo j ... ji simche yojeol ... The requested documentary heritage was firstly introduced to the international intellectual community at the exhibition of book (La Livre) which was held by the National Library of France in commemoration of the International Year of Book 1972. Scholars and experts of Korea and France have recognized the values of the book in the printing history of the world. The use of metal movable type, techniques, format are the very essential evidence explaining the development of printing culture of humankind. It also provides us with the different patterns of development in printing technology in the East and West. There have been some discussions at the government/ national commission/ private levels to explore ways of cooperation in applying this book to the Memory of the World Registry. Both sides, the Republic of Korea and France, felt that Jikji is one of the important assets to be preserved for the future of man. However, due to the delicate issue regarding the return of Korean cultural properties in two countries, which is not directly related to the Jikji’s application to the MOW Register, it would be expected that the joint application of both countries will take more time. ... 7.1 Name Rha, Ki-jeong, the Chairman of the Committee of Memory of the World Register Buljo jikji simche yojeol, Mayor of Cheongju, Republic of Korea 7.2 Relationship to documentary heritage France: Bibliothèque nationale; owner Korea: Cheongju Early Printings Museum Contact person (if appropriate) France: Director of Bibliothèque nationale de France Korea: Rha, Ki-jeong, the Chairman of the Committee of Memory of the World Register Buljo jikji simche yojeol, Mayor of Cheongju 7.3 Contact details France: Bibliothèque nationale de France, Supervisor of oriental documents, 58, rue Richelieu, Paris / Tel) (331) 47-03-81-26 Korea: Mr. Kim Jong-byuk, Director of Cheongju Early Printing Museum 866 Unch’on-dong, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju City, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea Tel (82) 43-276-4197 Fax (82) 43 220-6757

## Intangible Cultural Heritage ... ## Memory of the World ... Baegun hwasang chorok buljo jikji simche yojeol (vol.II), the second volume of "Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests' Zen Teachings" ... ## World Heritage List

Changdeokgung Palace Complex - ... # Changdeokgung Palace Complex ... In the early 15th century, the King Taejong ordered the construction of a new palace at an auspicious site. A ... of Palace Construction was set up to create the complex, consisting of a number of official and residential buildings set in a garden that was cleverly adapted to the uneven topography of the 58-ha site. The result is an exceptional example of Far Eastern palace architecture and design, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. ... Constructed in the 15th century during the Joseon Dynasty, the Changdeokgung Palace Complex occupies a 57.9 ha site in Jongno-gu, in northern Seoul at the foot of Ungbong Peak of Mount Baegaksan, the main geomantic guardian mountain. ... yeongbokgung, differentiated ... purpose and spatial layout ... and incorporating an extensive ... okgung from conventional ... Changdeokgung was used as the secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung for 200 years, but after the palaces were burnt down during the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century, it was the first to be reconstructed and since then served as the main seat of the dynasty for 250 years. The property had a great influence on the development of Korean architecture, garden and landscape planning, and related arts, for many centuries. It reflects sophisticated architectural values, harmonized with beautiful surroundings. **Criterion (ii): **Changdeokgung had a great influence on the development of Korean architecture, garden design and landscape planning, and related arts for many centuries. **Criterion (iii): **Changdeokgung exemplifies the traditional *pungsu* principles and Confucianism through its architecture and landscape. The site selection and setting of the palace were based upon *pungsu* principles, whilst the buildings were laid out both functionally and symbolically in accordance to Confucian ideology that together portrays the Joseon Dynasty’s unique outlook on the world. **Criterion (iv): **Changdeokgung is an outstanding example of East Asian palace architecture and garden design, exceptional for the way in which the buildings are integrated into and harmonized with the natural setting, adapting to the topography and retaining indigenous tree cover. ... The entire area of the Changdeokgung Palace Complex, including the individual buildings and plantings within the complex, has been designated as a State-designated Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. In addition, a number of the buildings of the complex have been designated as National Treasures or Treasures (Injeongjon Hall, Injeongmun Gate, Seonjeongjeon Hall, Huijeongdang Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Old Seonwonjeon Shrine and Donhwamun Gate) or as Natural Monuments (the Chinese juniper tree and the *Actinidia arguta* plum tree). These designations impose strict control over any alterations to the property. ... World Heritage Committee Inscribes 46 New Sites on World Heritage List 7 December 1997 ##### Media play\_arrow Changdeokgung Palace Complex (UNESCO/NHK) **Republic of Korea** **Date of Inscription:** 1997 **Criteria: **(ii)(iii)(iv) **Dossier:** 816 Seoul N37 34 44 E126 59 28 Web Browser not supported for ESRI ArcGIS API version 4.10. WebGL must be enable, see documentation Powered by Esri

Name Coordinates Property (ha) Buffer zone (ha) Total (ha) Inscription year Changdeokgung Palace Complex 37.579 / 126.991 0 0 0 1997 Total (ha) 0 ... 2.9 - Are you aware of any elements associated with the World Heritage property that have been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage? ... Please list any elements associated with the World Heritage property inscribed under the Convention for ... Safeguarding of the ... Constructed in the 15th century during the Joseon Dynasty, the Changdeokgung Palace Complex occupies a 57.9 ha site in Jongno-gu, in northern Seoul at the foot ... during the early 20th century. This ... being carried out using traditional methods and materials, and is ... on historical evidence and research. Protection and management requirements The entire area of the Changdeokgung Palace Complex, including the individual buildings and plantings within the complex, has been designated as a State-designated Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. In addition, a ... of the complex have ... Changdeogung Palace is protected by several Korean laws. Changdeokgung Palace is designated historical site No 122 under the provision of the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. It is designated as a Natural Environment Preservation Zone in conformity with Article 13 of the National Land Utilization and Management Act, according to which no alternation may be made to the topography of the site without authorization by the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Designation as a Cultural Property Protection Zone under the terms of Article 18 of the Urban Planning Act and as an Historic Site in accordance with Articles 6 and 7 of the Cultural Property Preservation Act means that any changes to its existing state require official authorization. There is a formal protection zone of 20m around the entire site. In addition, a number of the buildings of the complex are designated National Treasures (Injongjon Hall, Injongmun Gate, Sonjongjon Hall, Huijongdang Hall, Taejojon Hall, Old Sonwonjon Shrine, Tonhwamun Gate) or Natural Monuments (Chinese juniper tree, Actinidia arguta ... tree Source ... Periodic Reporting Cycle 2

UNESCO World Heritage Centre - Decision - 21 COM VIII.C Inscription: The Ch'angdokkung Palace Complex (Korea (Republic of)) The Ch'angdokkung Palace Complex 816 Korea (Republic of) C(ii)(iii)(iv) The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv), considering that the Ch'angdokkung Palace Compound is an outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design, exceptional for the way in which the buildings are integrated into and harmonized with the natural setting, adapting to the topography and retaining indigenous tree cover. ... States Parties 1 Republic of Korea Properties 1 Changdeokgung Palace Complex Session 21st session of the World Heritage Committee (CONF.208) Year 1997 ##### Documents WHC-97/CONF.208/17 WHC-97/CONF.208/10.Rev. WHC-97/CONF ... 208/4A

Changdeokgung Palace Complex - Documents - UNESCO World Heritage Centre ... | Advisory Bodies Evaluations | | | --- | --- | | 1997 | Advisory Body Evaluation (ICOMOS) | | Decisions | | | 2012 | 36COM 8E - Adoption of retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value | | 1997 | Report of the 21st Session of the Committee | | 1997 | 21COM VIIIC - Inscription: The Ch'angdokkung Palace Complex (Korea (Republic of)) | | Periodic Reporting | | | 2023 | Periodic Reporting Cycle 3, Section II | | 2012 | Periodic Reporting Cycle 2, Section II |

##### World Heritage- Republic of Korea Changdeokgung Palace Complex ... | Royal palaces symbolized state sovereignty and regal authority as official residences of kings where they lived and governed. Seoul, the seat of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), has five royal palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung. Some of these palaces were built as replacements for those lost in wars or fires, and some when the royal family needed more living space. Gyeongbok Palace, the first and main palace of Joseon, was built in 1395, the fourth year of Taejo, the founding monarch. Changdeok Palace was built in 1405, the fifth year of Taejong, the third ruler. It was primarily intended to be used as a separate palace in | ... | Center Stage of 500-year Joseon HistoryChangdeok Palace, or the “Palace of Illustrious Virtue,” is nestled in a compound of some 480,000 square meters that sprawls around the foot of Mt. Eungbong, sitting in front of Bohyeon Peak with Mt. Bukhan in the distant background. Its numerous ... rules of palatial construction. That is, government offices are placed in the outer court and the private residence of the royal family is in the inner quarters behind; the royal palace is behind nine gates, with the king’s quarters surrounded by many layers of buildings and courtyards for the sake of security; and the eastern section of the palace is reserved for the crown prince, a symbol of rising power, and the queen dowager and other senior ladies of the royal family. The grounds of Changdeok Palace are largely divided into four areas: the entrance area, the office area, the royal residence, and a rear garden. The entrance area has two major features - the main entranceway, Donhwamun, meaning the “gate of sincere edification,” on the southern edge of the palace compound and the front courtyard where the Geumcheon, the “forbidden stream,” flows through. Outside the palace grounds, the stream joins the Cheonggyecheon flowing through the old city, symbolizing the unity of the king and the people. | The stone bridge spanning the “forbidden stream” represents the first step into the royal sanctuary. It is also the gateway to the office area, which has the Office of Special Advisors (Hongmungwan), the Office of Royal Scribes (Yemungwan) and the Royal Infirmary (Naeuiwon), among other government offices. All of the court offices have been restored since 1991 after being removed during the colonial period. Lording over these court offices are the Hall of Benevolent Governance (Injeongjeon), the throne hall, where many important state events were conducted throughout the Joseon period, and the Hall of Administering Governance (Seonjeongje ... | Embracing the Skies and Winds The rear garden of Changdeok Palace epitomizes traditional Korean landscape architecture characterized by the aesthetics of nature. The natural contours of hills and valleys, waterfalls and woods are conserved in their pristine condition by minimizing man-made elements. Although it was mainly intended as a private space for the royal family to relax and enjoy leisure activities, the rear garden was also used for banquets and special military exercises like archery, which the king attended. The serene rural atmosphere was considered ideal for reading and academic research as well, not to mention demonstrations of tilling and silkworm growing by the royal family. The rear garden occupies some 300,000 square meters, or 60 percent of the total palace grounds. However, it is not only due to the vastness of the premise that a complete panoramic view remains perpetually elusive here. The exquisite pavilions and small ponds are hidden here and there amid lush woods. They come into view only when one turns a corner or ascends a hill. The beauty can only be found by roaming around the meandering ravines and passages, which is a different style of gardening from most European palace gardens where the entire vista can be appreciated from a balcony or verandah. Korean gardens are characterized by minimum human touches; gardens are designed to harmonize with nature, or to be integrated into it, the boundary with nature often remaining unclear. Korean garden architects smartly utilized outdoor pavilions as a pivotal element in applying a garden concept to natural scenery. Mostly simple and frugal structures built on scenic spots, the pavilions are places where people stay for a while to appreciate surrounding nature. Depicting the essential feature of garden pavilions, the renowned minister and writer Yi Gyu-bo (1168-1241) wrote in the Collected Works of Minister Yi of Korea (Dongguk Yisang gukjip): “As none of the numerous forms and images can evade the sight, nothing can match an open pavilion for watching distant scenery.” In this respect, Changdeok Palace is an excellent example of traditional Korean gardens. Scores of small pavilions, each with a poetic name succinctly expressing its role or symbolically describing the surrounding scenery, were built along streams, on the banks of ponds, or on terraced hillsides, all with nice views. The pavilions were thoughtfully designed so as not to overwhelm the natural contours but to add charming embellishments to nature. They were not built at one time but one after another as desired under different circumstances, or to help fulfill the policy goals of individual kings. The rear garden of Changdeok Palace expresses the philosophy behind Korean garden architecture: gardens are intended to be places to seek comfortable pleasure from nature rather than display desires to overcome it. None of the countless trees in this garden have been trimmed in an artificial form; nor is there any lavish monument to a king. Ancient Koreans preferred natural streams and waterfalls to ornate fountains as they felt obliged to obey the laws of nature. In the palace garden they made simple ponds to enjoy angling and boating. In the verdant woods they recited poetry, drinking wine from cups that floated on a jade blue stream. This Korean royal garden clearly differs from the globally admired gardens at Versailles in France or Ryoanji in Japan. The gardens of Versailles are confined within the walls of the palace, and the garden of Ryoanji is far removed from the order of nature. In contrast, the rear garden of Changdeok Palace was made in a way to bring humans close to nature so they could appreciate the sounds of gurgling streams from the woods, the winds swishing through pine groves, the mountain birds chirping merrily, and the moon hanging from a tree branch. It offers an infinite scope of sights and sounds beyond all boundaries. | Frugality and Elegance Like all other royal palaces of Joseon, Changdeok Palace is neither ostentatious nor luxurious. The palace exemplifies the moral value of the Confucian-oriented Joseon Dynasty which cherished modesty and frugality, doing away with extravagance. Its earliest basic statute, Joseon Administrative Code (Joseon gyeongguk jeon) has the following statement: “If a palace is ostentatious, it will cause trouble for the people; if it is shabby, it will not be able to show the dignity of government. Frugal but not shabby and splendid but not ostentatious - this must be what is beautiful.” Changdeok Palace contains numerous stories from the five-century history of Korea’s last monarchy as its center stage. In spite of its checkered history and lost splendor, the palace is revered as a preeminent repository of unique Korean traditions and aesthetics humbly but elegantly harmonized into nature. In this context, UNESCO said upon its decision to inscribe the palace on the World Heritage List in 1997: “Changdeok Palace is an outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design, exceptional for the way in which the buildings are integrated into and harmonized with the natural setting, adapting to the topography and retaining indigenous tree cover.” |