A Study on Ganui-Dae' s External Form and Its Modeling for Restoration
- Author: Lee Min Soo, Lee Yong Sam, Jeon Jun Hyeok, Kim Sang Hyuk
- Organization: Lee Min Soo; Lee Yong Sam; Jeon Jun Hyeok; Kim Sang Hyuk
- Publish: Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences Volume 30, Issue4, p299~305, 15 Dec 2013
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ABSTRACT
Ganui-Dae , built in the reign of KingSejong ,Joseon Dynasty, is a comprehensive observatory. It has various instruments for observation and time signal such asGanui ,Gyupyo (Gnomon), water-hammering typeHonui andHonsang , and so on. Studying onGanui-Dae has been focused on its location, history, criterion, etc, so far. However, studying on its external form and construction method has been conducted insufficiently. This study suggests the model for restoration ofGanui-Dae . The model is based on the analysis about external form ofGanui-Dae in various antique maps, and its construction method in those days.
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KEYWORD
Ganui-Dae (royal observatory in Joseon Era) , Ganui (simplified armillary sphere) , Gyeongbokgung-Do (antiquemap of Gyeongbokgung palace)
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King
Sejong (世宗) ofJoseon Daynasty (朝鮮時代) made a remarkable astronomical achievements in the Korean history(Jeon 1994, Nam 2002, Nha 2006). Making various astronomical instruments such asGanui (簡儀) in this period influenced the making of 『Chiljeongsan Naeoepyeon (七政算內外篇)』 and national time system. Thus,Ganui andGanui-Dae (簡儀臺, 1432~33) were the main astronomical projects. The Ganui-Dae is not just a support (臺) that theGanui is constructed on. It is comprehensive observatory with the various instruments for observation and time signal (時報) such asGanui ,Gyupyo , Water-hammering typeHonui ,Honsang , and so on (Nam 2002).Historically, various world powers (列强) bui l t astronomical observation facilities in large scale and devoted to their scientific techniques. For example, Ulugh Beg Observatory (1424~1429) was built what is current day Samarkand, Uzbekistan in Timurid Dynasty. Also,
Guanxing-tai (觀星臺, current day 古觀象臺, 1442) was built in Beijing (北京), China, in Ming Dynasty (明代), and Greenwich Observatory (Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1675) was built in Greenwich, England. These observatories represent each country's history of scientific techniques and come into the spotlight as important tourism resources.Ganui-Dae is the comprehensive observatory that can stand comparison with the listed observatories above, and it can perform the same function (Kim et al. 2011). However,Ganui-Dae doesn't exist. Even though its restoration is needed, its exact external form isn't suggested.Until now, major studying on
Ganui-Dae was its location, history and construction criterion and so on (Jeon 1964, Lee 1996, Nha 1997, Nam 2008, Chung 2010, Mihn et al. 2010, Kim et al. 2011). On the contrary, few studying on external form and construction method ofGanui-Dae is performed. Some suggested models ofGanui-Dae (such as model of culturecontent.com of Korea Creative Contents Agency (KCCA)) cannot suggest exact basis of external form and construction method etc.This study analyzes the external form of Ganui-Dae in the antique maps and suggests new restoration model based on the analysis of construction method.
2.1 Survey of previous studies
In the previous studies,
Sitian-tai (司天臺, 1279), built in the Beijing during the Yuan Daynasty (元代), is believed that it influenced on Ganui-Dae (Kim et al. 2011, Fig. 1). There are several basis that theSitian-tai influenced the construction ofGanui-Dae . The first basis is ‘Ganuidaegi (簡儀臺記)' in 『Sejong Sillok (世宗實錄)』. It is direct record of the construction ofGanui-Dae . It also said that method to make various instruments likeGanui follows 『Yuanshi (元史)』 in theGanuidaegi 1 . The second basis is 『Yeonryeosilgisul (練藜室記述)』 written byLee Gung-ik (李肯翊) in the late Joseon Dynasty. The record of the 『Yeonryeosilgisul 』 said that the KingSejong orderedJang Young-sil (蔣英實) et al. to go to China and to learn the construction techniques of astronomical instruments in 1421. It also said that the KingSejong made them who came back in following year (1422) participate in constructing astronomical instruments.2 However, it is hard to believe that
Sitian-tai is the original form ofGanui-Dae . It is because there is no direct describes aboutGanui-Dae in theGanuidaegi . Furthermore, there is a possibility of loss ofSitian-tai in the middle period of visit ofJang Young-sil et al. This is specified in 『Yeonryeosilgisul 』. The possibility of loss ofSitian-tai is based on the construction of another observatory,Guanxing-tai (觀星臺, current day 古觀象臺), is built on Beijing in 1442, Ming Dynasty (Kim et al. 2011). Construction ofGuanxing-tai can be considered as a replacement of lostSitian-tai . As a result, the year of 1442, when theGuanxing-tai was constructed, is middle period of visit ofJang Young-sil et al, so there is a quite possibility of loss ofSitian-tai . This implies that theSitian-tai cannot be the original form ofGanui-Dae' s external form.Another observatory, Dengfeng (登封)
Guanxing-tai (觀星臺, 1279, Fig. 1), is constructed in Yuan Dynasty (Kim et al. 2011). However, there is no record of installation of instruments likeHonchunui , so it is guessed that the company ofJang Young-sil wouldn’t visit the DengfengGuanxing-tai .'Culturecontent.com' of KCCA suggested the 3D model of
Ganui-Dae . It seems to be based on theGuanxing-tai in Ming Dynasty3 (Fig. 2 ). However, as mentioned above, it is hard to consider that theGuanxing-tai , constructed in Ming Dynasty, is the external form ofGanui-Dae , becauseGuanxing-tai was constructed after the visit ofJang Young-sil company.To synthesize the content above, both
Sitian-tai in Yuan Dynasty andGuanxing-tai in Ming Dynasty in Beijing were hard to be the original form ofGanui-Dae . Therefore, the new external form model of Ganui-Dae is needed.2.2 A Study on external form of Ganui-Dae in old maps
There are some old maps (古地圖) which shows the original appearance of
Gyeongbokgung palace. Moreover, the maps which showGanui-Dae are 『Gyeongbokgung- Do (景福宮圖)』 in the National Folk Museum of Korea, 『Gyeongbokgungjun-Do (景福宮全圖)』 in Samsung Museum of Publishing, 『Doseong-Do (都城圖)』 inKyujanggak (奎章閣) Institute For Korean Studies, and 『Gyeongbokgung-Do (景福宮圖)』 in Sotheby's and so on.Among these maps, 『
Gyeongbokgungjun-Do 』 in Samsung Museum of Publishing only shows the name ofGanui- Dae , and 『Gyeongbokgungjun-Do 』 in Samsung Museum of Publishing and 『Doseong-Do 』 inKyujanggak Institute For Korean Studies show unclear shape ofGanui-Dae with the name. Therefore, it is hard to use for studying of external form ofGanui-Dae (Fig. 3).『Gyeongbokgung-Do』 in Sotheby's was known by being auctioned in Sotheby's on New York in 1997. It is valuable material which shows the appearance of
Gyeongbokgung Palace before the loss, caused by two wars. ThisGyeongbokgung-Do guessed that it made in the reign of King Youngjo (1742~1776), late period of 18 century. Different from otherGyeongbokgung-Do , it is reliable that it shows the location and description of royal palace clearly (Lee 2004). On the left side ofGanui-Dae on 『Gyeongbokgung- Do 』 in Sotheby's,Gyupyo is described clearly, and stairs and construction method4 can be identified in the map (Fig. 4 right picture).In the 『
Gyeongbokgung-Do 』in Sotheby's, there is need to focus on the external form ofGanui-Dae . As comparing theGanui-Dae in 『Gyeongbokgung-Do 』 in Sotheby's withGwanghwamun (光化門), the gate under the royal palace ofGwanghwamun looks like a building, built with the well-faced stone. However,Ganui-Dae looks like structure with a form of embankment or rampart, built with not-faced stone (Fig. 5).Ganui-Dae model of culturcontent.com of KCCA has the form of construction with well-faced stone. If 『Gyeongbokgung-Do 』 in Sotheby's is believed, the model would be wrong.There is another appreciable thing in the 『
Gyeongbokgung-Do 』 in Sotheby's. It is that the stairs, in front ofGanui-Dae , were straight.The Beijing AncientObservatory in Beijing, which culturecontent.com of KCCA used as the original form ofGanui-Dae , has winding stairs, not the straight. Comparing with straight stairs of 『Gyeongbokgung-Do 』 in Sotheby's,Ganui-Dae model of culturecontent.com of KCCA is wrong.Considering of the reliability of 『
Gyeongbokgung- Do 』 of Sotheby's (Lee 2004), external form ofGanui- Dae needs suggestion of new model in the form of construction. Moreover, study on the construction method of embankment or rampart in the reign of the KingSejong is also needed.2.3 A Study on construction method of Ganui-Dae
There is a purpose of establishment of
Ganui-Dae , described in 『Sejong Sillok 』 as follows;The 19th Year of King Sejong (1437) April 15th (甲戌) There was first made using wood. Use it was determined that the north pole is 38 degree from the ground. This is almost to the 《
Yuanshi (元史)》. FinallyGanui made of copper was completed. Give instructions to Hojo-panseo (戶曹判書) Ahn-Soon. A platform of 31 cheok high and 47 cheok long, 32 cheok width was built around the northern part ofGyeonghoeru . Placed on the platform wereGanui . Jeongbangan is placed in the south. And,Dongpyo in height of 8 cheok and height has five times from platform placed on the west side of the platform.In this record, King
Sejong assignedAhn-Soon (安純)5 ,Hojo-panseo (戶曹判書), for the construction ofGanui- Dae . This suggests very important fact. According to 『Sejong Sillok 』, Ahn-soon was in charge of removal ofGyeongwon-Sung (慶源城) before construction ofGanui- Dae in 1432. At that time, KingSejong orderedHwang- Hee (黃喜),Younguijeong (領議政), to removeGyeongwon-Sung , andHwang-Hee recommendedAhn-soon 6 . This suggests thatAhn-soon had construction knowledge about a castellation. It is connected with thatGanui-Dae , shown in『Gyeongbokgung-Do 』of Sotheby's, has form of castellation.A study on the castellation method rose from 『
Gyeongbokgung-Do 』 of Sotheby's and the case ofAhn-soon proceeded with the Seoul Fortress. Seoul Fortress is suitable for studying because it shows the chronological changes of construction method inJoseon Dynasty (Culture Haritage Administration of Korea, shortly CHAOK 2001).Seen in Fig. 6, ramparts were built with the various sizes of well-faced natural stones in the reign of King
Taejo . Compared with the reign, more faced rectangular (長方形) stones were used at the construction. In the reign of KingSukjong , ramparts were built with standardized square (正方形) stones.Differences were identified in the real figure of Seoul Fortress in Fig. 7. Therefore, the model of Ganui-Dae which would be suggested should follow the construction method in the reign of King
Sejong .3. DRAWING AND 3D MODELING OF GANUI-DAE
3.1 Basis of drawing and 3D modeling
Historically, Sitian-tai in Yuan Dynasty and
Guanxing-tai in Ming Dynasty were hard to be the original form ofGanui-Dae , considering that visiting time ofJang Young-sil company was not matched with their loss and construction. The external form ofGanui-Dae shown in 『Gyeongbokgung-Do 』 in Sotheby's has different construction form from existing models. Lastly, through the survey of the past ofAhn-Soon , the construction director ofGanui-Dae , the construction form ofGanui-Dae was the form of castellation.These three facts emphasize that the new external form model of
Ganui-Dae is needed. In the study, Seoul Fortress in Mt.Bukaksan was surveyed to make new external model ofGanui-Dae . The study also suggests the model ofGanui-Dae by using the castellation method in the reign of KingSejong .In the new model of
Ganui-Dae , its size follows the 『Sejong Sillok 』7 and scale used at construction wasJu-Cheok (周尺), notYoungjo-Cheok (營造尺). The location of the stairs were settled on the north (Kim et al. 2011 ). Their sizes follows ones ofGeunjeongjeon ofGyeongbokgung palace, because there is no statement about sizes in the document. The handrail ofGanui-Dae also followsGeunjeongjeon's one because of no statement in document.Scales of
Ganui-Dae in 『Sejong Sillok 』 were 31 cheok of height, 47 cheok of length, and 32 cheok of width8 . InJoseon Dynasty, it was common thatYoungjo-Cheok was used for the building andJu-Cheok was used for various instruments (Nam 1995 ). Exact scale, used forGanui-Dae , was not known, but using ofJu-Cheok at the construction ofGanui-Dae was inferred through the content in『Seongjong Sillok (成宗實錄)』; onlyGyupyo is seen, butGanui-Dae isn't to be seen (Kim et al. 2011 ).As the scales of
Ganui-Dae convertedJu-Cheok (1 cheok = 207 mm; Nam 1995) to the present metric system, height is 6,417 mm, length is 9,729 mm, and the width is 6,624 mm. The part of Seoul Fortress in the reign of KingSejong was referred on the overall external form ofGanui-Dae . Fig. 8 is the drawings ofGanui-Dae which based on results of this study.Based on the drawing of
Ganui-Dae , 3D modeling was performed. The external wall ofGanui-Dae was mapped with the source of exterior of Seoul Fortress. Stairs and handrail were mapped with the source of stairs and handrail ofGeunieongjeon inGyeongbokgung palace (Fig. 9). Aerial view of 3D modeling ofGanui-Dae , which synthesizes these contents, is in the Fig. 10.Fig. 11 is an impression, which considers the environment in the reign of King
Sejong .Gyupyo is placed on the left side ofGanui-Dae .Gyeonghoeru (慶會樓) is placed on the south ofGanui-Dae based on theSillok , saying thatGanui-Dae was located on the north ofGyeonghoeru . The building, seen on the left side ofGyupyo isHonuihonsanggak (渾儀 渾象閣). In the building, Water-hammering typeHonui andHonsang were installed.Ganui-Dae , constructed in the reign of KingSejong , has historical meaning of scientific technique as the comprehensive observatory which shows techniques at that time. It is also available resource as a scientific tourism resource. Therefore, the restoration ofGanui-Dae is urgent. However, comparing with the importance, study on the external form ofGanui-Dae is insufficient. Focused on it, this study tried to approach to the external form and construction method ofGanui-Dae . And then, based on the new approach, the study suggested the new external model ofGanui-Dae .Historically,
Sitian-tai in Yuan Dynasty (1279) has possibility of loss, andGuanxing-tai in Ming Dynasty (1442) were constructed after visiting of Jang Young-sil company (1421~1422). Therefore, bothSitian-tai andGuanxing-tai were not suitable to make them as the origin ofGanui-Dae forJang Young-sil company.Many old maps used for the study of
Ganui-Dae shows only name or simple external form, so it is hard to be used for the study of external form ofGanui-Dae . Otherwise, exact location and description of royal palaces were marked in 『Gyeongbokgung-Do 』in Sotheby's in details. Therefore, its material and external form ofGanui-Dae , described on the map, were reliable.Ganui-Dae described on the『Gyeongbokgung-Do 』in Sotheby's was similar to construction with the form of a castle, not the form of building. Also, straight stairs in the front were verified.By surveying of the past of
Ahn-Soon ,Hojo-panseo who was the construction director ofGanui-Dae , he was a person who participated in the construction and removal of the castle before the construction ofGanui-Dae . This is connected with theGanui-Dae , which has form of castle described in the 『Gyeongbokgung-Do 』in Sotheby's.Under the supposition that
Ganui-Dae has form of castle, the castellation method in the reign of KingSejong was analyzed. In the result of the survey of Seoul Fortress, which shows the castellation method in the reign of KingSejong , the ramparts in the reign were made with well-faced rectangular stones. The big ones were used at the down side and the small ones were used at the upper side. It is different from existing model ofGanui-Dae , which used standardized stones or bricks.This study suggested the new model of
Ganui-Dae with the basis of construction applied the method in the reign of KingSejong . To use new model for real restoration, drawing was made and 3D modeling was performed based on the drawing. With the new external model ofGanui-Dae , restoration ofGanui , the Korean representative observatory, and instillation of pride toward Korean scientific techniques were expected. Also, it is expected to utilize it as tourism resource for foreign people.-
[Fig. 1.] Illustraiton of Sitian-tai on Beijing in Yuan Dynasty (Li 1997, left) and Dengfeng Guanxing-tai (Kim et al. 2011, right).
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[Fig. 2.] The Beijing Ancient Observatory (left) on Beijing and 3D Model of Ganui-Dae (right) on 'Culturecontent.com'.
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[Fig. 3.] Old Maps Which Show Ganui-Dae.
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[Fig. 4.] 『Gyeongbokgung-Do』 in Sotheby's (left) and Enlarged Picture of Ganui-Dae in the Map (right).
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[Fig. 5.] Ganui-Dae in 『Gyeongbokgung-Do』 of Sotheby's (left ) and Enlarged Picture of Gwanghwamun in the Map (right).
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[Fig. 6.] Chronological Construction Method in Joseon Dynasty Shown at Seoul Fortress (From left, the Reign of the King Taejo, Sejong, Sukjong (Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea 2001).
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[Fig. 7.] Real Figure of Seoul Fortress in Mt. Bukaksan (From up left, Clockwise, the Reign of King Taejo, Sejong, Sukjong, Foreground) (CHAOK 2012).
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[Fig. 8.] Drawing of Restoration of Ganui-Dae; Top-Side View, Middle-Floor Plan, Bottom-Front View (Left)/Handrail (Right) (Unit: mm, Red box of floor plan is the scale of Ganui).
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[Fig. 9.] The Result of 3D Modeling of Ganui-Dae; Top-Side, Middle-Plane, Bottom-Front.
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[Fig. 10.] Aerial View of 3D Modeling of Ganui-Dae.
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[Fig. 11.] Impression of Ganui-Dae in the Reign of King Sejong.