Korean Architecture

Question 1

Built-in 1438 during the reign of King Sejong, was used by the king for astronomical and agricultural observations and research. The name of the structure means “respectful veneration of the ways of heaven.”

Answer 1

Heumgyeonggak Pavilion

Question 2

It’s characterized by a simple appearance created by connecting two straight-lined houses at a right angle. This layout was preferred by families who wanted a larger yard, even if that meant having a smaller interior compared with the square house. The wood-floored main hall typically connects with the kitchen at the point where the house is angled, thus ensuring greater spatial efficiency and functionality.

Answer 2

L-shaped Hanok

Question 3

It’s the edge of Hanok’s curvy roofs.

Answer 3

Cheoma

Question 4

The architectural term describing Korean traditional houses is also referred to as Chosun houses.

Answer 4

Hanok

Question 5

As in ancientGreekarchitecturecolumns were purposely made thinner at the base, thicker in the middle, and taller at the corners of the building to make them appear truly straight from a distance. It is like the pillar of the Greek temple, ‘Entasis’, but it is characterized by its maximum diameter being one-third of the ground.

Answer 5

Baeheullim

Question 6

A mausoleum located in Ryongsan-ri, near Pyongyang, North Korea. One of the tombs is the royal tomb of the founder of the ancient Goguryeo kingdom, northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. In total, there are 63 individual tombs of the period. The area contains at least fifteen known tombs believed to belong to various vassal lords. The tomb has achieved World Heritage status as part of the Complex of Goguryeo Tombsinscribed by UNESCO in 2004.

Answer 6

Tomb of King Tongmyong/Dongmyeong

Question 7

The stream that runs underneath the bridge is known as Geumcheon. All Joseon royal residences had similar streams and bridges which symbolized purifying oneself before entering.

Answer 7

Yeongjegyo Bridge

Question 8

It’s characterized by the location of the wood-floored main hall (maru) and the kitchen in the central portion of the building, with the bedrooms situated in the wings, thus creating symmetry and balance. Such houses also tended to feature a gabled or hip-and-gable roof.

Answer 8

U-shaped Hanok

Question 9

The architectural term describing Korean traditional houses is also referred to as Chosun houses.

Answer 9

Hanok

Question 10

The kingdom oversaw an unprecedented flourishing in culture and arts with developments in architecture, ceramics, printing, and papermaking. The kingdom was repeatedly invaded by the Mongols in the 13th century and thereafter became less independent and more culturally influenced by their northern neighbors. It is the origin of modern Korea’sEnglish name.

Answer 10

Goryeo Dynasty

Question 11

In Korea, it is a kind of bracketing unit system that has a layer composed of bracketing units (gongpodae) densely arranged side-by-side. In several single-story Buddhist halls, this type of bracketing unit layer is placed not only under their eaves, which is their usual position, but also, inside the roof structure. These double-layered interior bracketing unit systems are sometimes used for decorating ceilings, and sometimes for supporting the main framework of the roof structure.

Answer 11

Tap’o/Dapo style

Question 12

It’s the Hanok clay tile roof.

Answer 12

Giwa

Question 12

Located in Ji’an, Jilin province China, the former capital of Goguryeo. The pyramid was “rediscovered” in 1905. The base of the pyramid measures approximately 75 meters on each side, about half the size of the Egyptian pyramids, and is eleven meters in height. The pyramid is composed of 1,100 dressed stone blocks. Large stones, each measuring approximately 3 x 5 meters were placed around the base of the pyramid and can still be seen today. The monumental size of the tomb suggests that the Goguryeoelite were very powerful, and the kingdom had the ability to mobilize large numbers of people for building projects.

Answer 12

Tomb of the General (Pyramid of the East)

Question 12

The construction of this complex was completed in 1395 at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty during the reign of King Taejo. The name of the complex, which means “palace greatly blessed by Heaven,” was built in the heart of Seoul surrounded by Mount Bugaksan and Mount Namsan.

Answer 12

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Question 13

The Stone Pagoda is truly unique and can be found on the 10 won coin. Only one of the four lions at its corners can be seen on site. A second one can be seen in the British Museum. A small part of the stone railings has been slightly damaged during the strong earthquake which occurred in Gyeongju in September 2016.

Answer 13

Dabotap Stone Pagoda

Question 14

Korean Architecture is built according to this unit of measurement, the distance between two posts (about 3.7 meters) and is designed so that there is always a transitional space between the “inside” and the “outside.”

Answer 14

K’a

Question 15

The five-story pagoda is representative of Paekche art, is well balanced, and is a beautifully executed masterpiece.

Answer 15

Chongnimsa Pagoda

Question 15

It is a building sometimes found in a larger temple complex, usually on the eastern side of the main courtyard in front of the beopdang [Main Dharma Hall], facing to the west. It is dedicated to Amita-bul[Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Paradise] and enshrines his image along with related Bodhisattvas, and symbolically replicates his Western Paradise (heaven where spirits of the departed can hear him continuously preaching the entire Dharma without worldly difficulties or distractions/temptation, and so can easily progress towards enlightenment).

Answer 15

Muryangsu Hall of Pusŏk Temple

Question 16

In Korea, this roof is best characterized as four slanted sides, including chu-nyeo. the front-and-back sides are the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, and the right-and-left sides are triangular. As stated above, prestigious buildings—meant for class and authority—these roofs were features of peripheral/special cases such as strongholds or private homes. In China, however, this type of roof structure is broadly used for palaces and government offices.

Answer 16

Ujingak Roof

Question 17

The northern gate protected GyeongbokgungPalace from attacks from the north. It features a single entrance and one-storey pavilion.

Answer 17

Sinmumun Gate

Question 18

One of the Three Kingdoms which ruled over ancient Korea from the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE. Controlling territory in the southwestern part of the peninsula the kingdom was in constant rivalry with the other two kingdoms of the period: Silla and Goguryeo, and the neighboring Gaya confederation. The kingdom was noted for its high culture, many aspects of which are exported to its ally Japan.

Answer 18

Baekje Dynasty

Question 19

The kingdom was founded by the powerful Goryeo(918–1392) military commander Yi Seong-gye, who named it Joseon. Yi Seong-gye moved the capital to Hanyang (now Seoul) and allied himself with a group of reform-minded Confucian scholars, who reorganized Korean society using the teachings of Confucius as their guiding principles. These teachings emphasized order and peace based on the cultivation of harmonious interpersonal relationships and proper conduct.

Answer 19

Joseon Dynasty

Question 20

The two-storey hexagonal pavilion was built on a small island in the middle of a lake on the northern grounds of GyeongbokgungPalace.

Answer 20

Hyangwonjeong Pavilion

Question 21

It’s made of stones cut to the size and shape of bricks and resembles a brick pagoda: Only three of the original nine storeys now remain. Stone beasts are stationed at the four corners of its foundation and stone images of Vajradhara, guardian deities of the temple, at either side of the niches of the body of the pagoda.

Answer 21

Mojeon-seoktap

Question 22

In Korea, this roof is typically characterized as the simplest structure. This roof type does not consist of chu-nyeo, a distinct feature of Hanok which can be coarsely explained as a curved hip rafter.Chu-nyeo structure is utilized to prevent rainwater from steeping the wooden pillars, while still allowing sunlight to be able to keep the pillars from corrosion. These roofs have forced the use of wooden gables, depending on precipitation.

Answer 22

Matbe Roof

Question 22

A kingdom that ruled northern Korea during the Three Kingdoms period from the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE. The kingdom flourished in the 5th and 6th century CE and has left a rich cultural heritage best seen in its tomb art and architecture.

Answer 22

Goguryeo Dynasty

Question 22

The gate was originally built in 1396 during the reign 4th year of the reign of King Taejo. King Danjong renovated it in1453. It was last rebuilt by King Gojong in 1869. In 1869, there were four large gates and four small gates found along the fortress wall. These gates were built in the north, south, east, and west sections to protect the city from enemies, both human and animal. Each large gate had a tablet inscribed with letters that stood perfect virtue, justice, civility, and wisdom.

Answer 22

Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun Gate)

Question 23

It’s characterized by the interior tended to be more compact than that of other layouts and having more windowed doors to receive more natural light. The type of house also differs from the others in that, as it is typically open to all four directions and hence receives more sunlight, it offers a wider range of options when deciding which direction to face.

Answer 23

Straight-lined Hanok

Question 24

It was usually preferred in the north of Korea where the winter is longer and harsher than in the south because it was believed to be more effective in maintaining the warmth of the interior. Houses built according to this layout tended to have a wider inner space. The wood-floored main hall (maru) was typically located at the center of the house, thus providing direct access to the other rooms, including the kitchen.

Answer 24

Square-shaped Hanok

Question 25

One of the Kingdoms ruled south-eastern Korea during the Three Kingdoms period from the 1st century BCE to 7th century CE. The capital was Geumseong (Gyeongju) with a centralized government and hierarchical system of social ranks. The prosperity of this kingdom is evident in the magnificent gold crowns which are among the most prized art objects of ancient South-East Asia. An alliance with the Tang Dynasty of China permitted the kingdom to eventually conquer the whole of the Korean peninsula in 668 CE, which it then ruled for the next three centuries as the Unified Silla Kingdom.

Answer 25

Silla Dynasty

Question 26

It’s a heating system hidden beneath the floor. In its traditional form, it utilizes direct heat transfer from wood smoke to the underside of a thick masonry floor.

Answer 26

Ondol

Question 27

The Korean adaptation of the Chinese architecture of the T’ang period (AD 618–907). T’ang architecture was first introduced into Korea in the middle of the Koryŏ period (935–1392). The main features of the style are as follows:

(1) bracket complexes are employed only on top of columns;

(2) a bracket complex is placed directly on the column head without an additional lateral beam connecting the columns;

(3) square pieces placed on top of a column as a cushion for a bracket complex, and other, smaller square cushion pieces function as upper arms, with their sides, carved out in an S-like silhouette;

(4) the bracketing is made of transverse members only, except for a single spreader at the top to carry the eaves purlin; and

(5) because of the absence of a coffered ceiling, girder beams and eaves purlins are exposed. Also known as the “column-head bracket system”.

Answer 27

Chusimp’o style

Question 28

This stone pagoda stands on an octagonal-shaped 2-story base. There is a tabernacle to hold a Buddhist statue on the the1st-story body. It is almost the same height as the second story. The octagonal roof stones are simply trimmed without stepped cornices. The finial with the upper portion in gilt bronze and the lower portion in stone is incomplete condition. With bronze wind-bells and the gilt bronze finial provided, you can see the metal craft techniques of the Goryeo period.

Answer 28

Octagonal Nine-story Stone Pagoda of Woljeongsa Temple

Question 29

The astronomical observatory was constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok in 632-647. Literally, the word means“stargazing platform”. The cylindrical monument, slightly convex in outline, rises in a meticulous course and has square windows at a high level.

Answer 29

Cheomseongdae Observatory

Question 30

The pagodas were erected by putting 82 stones together. The third story of the pagoda’s body, which consists of a single stone, contains a hole for enshrining sarira reliquaries. The stones used for the finial, except the stone on top, have disappeared, leaving the finial pole exposed to the outside. The pagodas’ stable proportions and magnificent appearance show the progressive spirit of Unified Silla.

Answer 30

Twin Pagoda, Kamunsa Temple

Question 30

The name of this structure means Gate ofExalted Ceremonies. Construction began in 1395 and was completed in 1398, during the reign of King Taejo. At this time, it was built using wood and stone. It was rebuilt in 1447 and renovated many times over the years. The structure was originally one of three main gates in the city of Seoul.

Answer 30

Namdaemun Gate (Sungnyemun)

Question 31

The Stone Pagoda at the ancient temple complex in southern North Jeolla Province is the oldest extant stone pagoda in SouthKorea, constructed during the influential Baekje kingdom (18 BCE–660 CE). Standing 14.5 meters high, 12.5 meters wide, and weighing some 1,830 tons, the restored pagoda, designated as National Treasure No.11 and standing in the west of the temple complex, now has only six tiers, but historians believe it originally had nine. The pagoda is believed to have lost its upper levels sometime in the 16th century during the Kingdom of Great Joseon (1392–1897), which favored Confucianism over Buddhism.

Answer 31

Iksan Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda

Question 32

In Korea, this roof is considered the most consummate, intricate structure among the three. It is simply explained as” matbe on top of ujingak.” Buildings with this roof type have a relatively high hierarchy—palaces, main buildings in Buddhist temples are built in this format.

Answer 32

Paljak Roof

Question 33

This building has seven compartments on the front three at the sides and a gabled roof. It stands on stone stairways. The five-girder structure has a simple pillar-centered bracketing system. The bracket and beam arrangements, the truss, and its support under the roof ridge are of an ancient architectural style. Furthermore, it is regarded as an important cultural asset since it represents the early stage of the bracket-on-column style.

Answer 33

Geungnakjeon Hall

Question 34

A Buddhist cave temple was constructed during the Unified Silla Period (668-935 CE) of ancient Korea. The 8th-century CE structure, located near the Bulguksa Temple on Mt. Toham at the ancient Silla capital of Geumseong (modern Gyeongju, South Korea), contains a large statue of the Buddha who is seated within a circular chamber beneath a stone hemispherical dome.

Answer 34

Seokguram Grotto (Sokkuram)

Question 35

One of the tombs of the nobles, 6th-7thcentury, Ji’an, Northeastern China. It is a wall painting tomb with a stone chamber square corbel caisson, round-corner roof. The four walls in the tomb are painted green dragon, white tiger, rosefinch, tortoise, lotus, fire, and human figures. The beams are painted with dragons. On the caisson are fairies (celestial beings, immortals), clouds and stars, the sun god, the moon god. On the ceiling are dragons and tigers. It is a typical tomb of the late Koguryeo wall painting tomb.

Answer 35

Ohoe Tombs

Question 36

The main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Originally built in 1395, is now the largest and most formal hall at the palace. The name translates to “all affairs will be properly managed if YourMajesty demonstrates diligence.”

Answer 36

Geunjeongjeon Hall

Question 37

The main hall of a traditional Korean house.

Answer 37

Maru

Question 38

A 10.3 m tall three-tier stone pagoda was restored in 1925 and contained in its interior what is believed to be the world’s oldest example of a woodblock print.

Answer 38

Seokgatap Stone Pagoda

Question 39

It’s the Hanok straw-thatched roofs.

Answer 39

Choga