• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.188-209
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• 2009

Dangsan forests had been established by local residents several hundred years ago. They were disturbed in various ways, but still remain in many villages where dangsan festivals are held every year. Although the remaining Dangsan forests represent korean rural cultural landscapes, their characteristics still remain to be uncovered. The objectives of this study were to understand the three elements, Dangsan tree (Divine tree), shrine and stone tower, and to investigate the culture at inland areas and seashore areas relation to Dangsan forests. Twenty cases of Dangsan forests at inland areas and twenty at seashore areas were investigated. There were nine shrines and six stone towers found out of twenty inland Dangsan forests. Fifteen shrines were found out of twenty seashore Dangsan forests. Stone tower was not found at seashore areas. Fifteen events of dangsan festival were investigated. Dangsan festival appeared to have played an important role to preserve Dangsan forests. Based on the findings of this study, Dangsan forests are, as landscape elements at inland and seashore areas, proved to have a potential for the improvement of cultural and natural landscapes in the country.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.28-55
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• 2010

Currently, the natural monument system of Korea for naming and designation of natural monuments is based on "Chosun Natural Monument Conservation Acts for Treasure, Ancient Landmark, and Natural Beauty" enacted in 1934 during Japanese colonization period. The framework of natural monument system is still in effect, which is pointed out as a problem. The Dangsan forests and Bibo forests are Korean traditional cultural resources representing countryside of Korea. Cultural Heritage Administration follows and relies on the 'Limsu of Chosun' (1938), a report written by a Japanese, for naming and classification of natural monuments. A Dangsan forest at Yesong-ri was named "Yesong-ri evergreen forest" in 1938. They followed the naming system of "evergeen forest" until today. The objective of this study is to review the issues and problems of 'Limsu of Chosun' and natural monument naming system begun during Japanese occupation period, and suggest an alternative to the current situation where naming natural monument accordingly without discretion. Eighteen dangsan forests bibo forests were selected for examination and analysis. The names of the dangsan forests bibo forests were evaluated to find out whether various aspects of the forests are reflected in the name. The study suggests that many forests and old trees designated as natural monument should be named as "~Dangsan forest", "~Dangsan forest Bibo forest", or "~Dangsan tree" with consistency accordingly. The new names will bring a momentum to overcome the limitation of natural monument naming system continued since Japanese occupation period, and also enhance the value of Dangsan forests and Bibo forests as Korean traditional and cultural landscapes.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2016

In this study, the landscape characteristics of the sacred Dangsan forests at Singi-ri, Namwon-si were investigated as an agricultural heritage, and the management scheme for revitalization of the village was introduced. FAO established the term of 'GIAHS' (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) for conservation of each country's farmland, unique agricultural landscape, and cultural diversity. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea evaluates that the Agricultural Heritage is a new means and potential for rural development. Dangsan forest, a traditional village forests of rural Korea is a representative 'agricultural heritage' with a history of more than several hundred years of Dangsan ritual. The Dangsan forests were closely linked with paddy fields. This forest was composed of two Dangsan forests, and one Bibo forest. Especially, the Dangsan forest 2 was established on the mounding with 395m in length and 15m in width. Although, most of Dangsan forests do not have accurate records about forest establishment, this forest has retained a stone monument that illustrated the history of the forest. These aspects of Singi-ri's Dangsan forest indicated clear difference and characteristics compared to other ones. This Dangsan forest has been left alone from the public attention. The Dangsan forest at Singi-ri need to be recognized for their valuable landscape characteristics. By linking the Dangsan forest with 'Jirisan trail', the trail path will lead people to the agricultural heritage at Singi-ri. Enhancing the management scheme will contribute to revitalize the village.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.31-55
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• 2005

Dangsan forests and Rural Community Forests(RCF) have been historical assets for the rural communities of more than 40,000 in Korea and they have provided an identity through the cultural heritage. The Dangsan forests and the RCF are parts of a unique cultural landscape in the rural areas as components of stream landscape. In many cases, the Dangsan forests and the RCF are located close to stream corridors. The objective of this study was to understand the function of the Dangsan forests and the RCF on stream water quality and to evaluate its ecological landscape values. Through the consideration of international concensus and domestic government policy for close-to-nature stream, we could find out that Dangsan forests and RCF's have close relationship with the close-to-nature streams. The water quality of the streams close to the Dangsan forests and the RCF are maintained with local culture. It is also compared to the streams located where Dangsan forests and the RCF are absent. Eight study sites were selected. Water samples were collected at three different locations at each study site. Water samples were analyzed for temperature, pH, total P, total N, dissolved oxygen, EC, BOD, COD and SS. Aquatic invertebrates were observed as water quality indicator species. The results showed that the number of aquatic invertebrate species, GPI, DO, EC, BOD, and SS were significantly improved in stream water due to the presence of the Dangsan forests and the RCF. The role of Dangsan forests and the RCF was evident in the conservation of stream landscape and rural culture as well as in maintaining stream water quality. The management schemes of the streams with Dangsan forests and the RCF's are also suggested.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.535-554
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• 2013

This study was to investigate the characteristics and management condition of the Singeum village's Dangsan forest, and to seek the revitalization of rural village by improving management scheme. The Dangsan forest in Singeum-ri, Goheung-gun was composed of a Dangsan forest and a Bibo forest. The Dangsan forest was designated as natural monument # 362, and named 'Evergreen forest of Bongnae-myeon, Goheung'. The Dangsan forest area has been disturbed by the building of student training center. Even the local resident couldn't enter the forest due to the fence at the forest boundary except for Dangsan ritual which used to be serviced once a year. The Bibo forest was included in a beach area, and disturbed by lack of management. The Dangsan forest did not stay in good condition with various problems, such as wrong naming as a natural monument and misuse. The driving force of the Dangsan forest maintaining the beauty for several hundred years originated from the conservation of the forest with Dangsan ritual by local residents. Today, the Dangsan forest is in danger of being vanished and not regarded any more as a holy place due to inaccessibility for Dangsan ritual. The Dangsan forest in Singeum village needs to enhance its value as a traditional and cultural landscape, and improving the management scheme will contribute to revitalization of the village.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.444-457
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• 2014

Dangsan forests are traditional village forests which have been established by local residents. They represent unique cultural landscape of Korea with a history of more than several hundred years. It is necessary for a cultural contents to have locality and globality so as to represent Korea. Cultural heritage can retain their value when they are fully sustained their authenticity and management scheme. Although many Dangsan forests have been on the verge of disappearance, the four villages in Sinwon-ri have retained Dangsan forests with Dangsan ritual. In this study, a designation of 'Conservation area of agricultural landscape ecology' including Dangsan forests, Bibo forests, rice paddy field, and stream in Sinwon-ri was suggested. This 'Conservation area of agricultural landscape ecology' can be developed to unique glocal cultural content of rural Korea, and will contribute to enhance the value of the Dangsan forest's, and revitalization of rural villages.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2014

Traditional village forests called Dangsan forests represent unique cultural landscape as a national cultural asset in Korea with a history of more than several hundred years. Cultural heritage can retain their value when they are fully sustained their authenticity and management scheme. The Dangsan forests established in a large area have been designated as a natural monument by Cultural Heritage Administration. Small scale Dangsan forests, however, are not introduced to the public and on the verge of disappearance. Dangsan forests have a value as a core landscape element in rural landscapes of Korea. The two villages at Ijeon-ri, Cheongsong-gun have small Dangsan forests where Dangsan ritual is performed. At one of the villages, there is Jusanji Reservoir designated for Scenic Site # 105, from which the water is used for growing crops. In this study, the landscape characteristics of the Dangsan forests were investigated including rice paddy field, stream, and the Jusanji Reservoir. A conservation measure of rural landscape for sustainable management scheme was suggested by designating 'Conservation area of agricultural landscape ecology'. Dangsan forests, especially where they are in small scale like those of Ijeon-ri, tend to be neglected. The Dangsan forests ought to be recognized for their value and by providing a management scheme including neighborhood elements such as farm fields and streams they can be revitalized to be core areas for conservation of rural landscape.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.52-60
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• 2011

The traditional village forests called Dangsan forest and Bibo forest in Korea represent unique cultural landscape with a history of more than several hundred years. The Natural Monument # 405 named 'Roadside forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong' was established by the ancestors who settled in the village about six hundred years ago. The Dangsan ritual had been held in the forest and the ritual started to be held at a shrine since early 1700's. Although the place where Dangsan ritual was held has been transferred from forest to outside forest, the status of Dangsan forest was not changed. The forest has not been known as a Dangsan forest. Instead, it has been known as a Bibo forest with a name meaning roadside forest. It is our duty to hand historic monuments on in full richness of their authenticity. No new construction, demolition or modification which would alter the mass and colour must be allowed. Furthermore, every means must be taken to facilitate the preservation of the monument and to reveal it without distorting its meaning. The 'Roadside forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong' is a deciduous forest composed of Quercus aliena, Quercus acutissima, and Sophora japonica, with a size of $920{\times}90m$ at the side of a stream. An old Sophora japonica tree known as a scholar tree indicates that this forest is related to confucianism. The name 'Roadside forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong' does not seem to be correct. In fact, the traditional village forest in Sachon-ri was a riparian buffer. The 'Roadside forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong' need to be changed to 'Dangsan forest in Sachon-ri, Uiseong'. With a correction on name and authenticity restored, the value of cultural heritage in Sachon-ri would be recognized effectively.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.135-145
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• 2012

Traditional village forests called Dangsan forests and Bibo forests in Korea represent an unique cultural landscape with a history of more than several hundred years. Feng-shui forest in China, Satoyama and Shinto shrine forest in Japan are recognized internationally as 'traditional ecological landscapes'. Dangsan forests and Bibo forests have been preserved through generations in the villages, and are no less valuable than Feng-shui forest, and Satoyama. However, the names of Dangsan forest and Bibo forest have not been well recognized worldwide. Dangsan forest in Seoseong-ri, Wando-gun is located on a mountain slope at a riparian forest. It consists of an evergreen broadleaf forest and Carpinus laxiflora forest. The characteristics of Dangsan forest in Seoseong-ri could be found at 10 sacrifice offering places. Two Dangsan trees on the coastal area are included in the sacrifice offering places. Cultural heritage can retain their value when they are fully sustained. Additional construction, demolition or modification should be banned. Furthermore, all means must be taken to facilitate the preservation of monuments and the value and meanings pertaining to them should not be distorted. In a respect of authenticity, Dangsan forest in Seoseong-ri, Wando-gun seems to have original Dangsan culture based on animism with a philosophic background, where a religious service for the mountain god is held at rock of mountain god, and Dangsan ritual is held at shrine on January 8 at 4:00 am by lunar calendar. Relating to the conservation and management of cultural heritage in international discussion, the importance is that whether there is sustainability on the right to the enjoyment of cultural heritage. Dangsan forest in Seoseong-ri is leaved alone to the public. The forest need a social mechanism to support the recovery of deformed shrine and to heighten public awareness of Dangsan forest in order to claim the value as a unique traditional ecological landscape in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.85-93
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• 2014

Although the Chungmak village, Gyeokpo-ri, Buan-gun is a small seashore village, it's an important place that has the largest ancient maritime ritual sites in Korea. This 'Chungmak-dong Ritual Site'(5~6 century, Baekje of the Three-kingdom period) was located in the Dangsan forest of Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) Colony, and that has a significant meaning concerned with Dangsan forest's origin. Chungmak village located in the Scenic Site # 13 named 'Chaeseokgang and Jeokbyeokgang coastal cliff in Buan', and have retained the Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Property # 58 named 'Suseongdang', the Natural Monument # 123 named 'Machilus community in Gyeokpo-ri, Buan'. The 'Suseongdang Gaeyang Grandmother Dangsinje (Village Ritual)' which is Dangsan ritual has been held every year by village residents. The practical management of Suseongdang and Machilus community has been conducted by village residents. In this study, the landscape characteristics of the Dangsan forest were investigated including neighborhood elements such as Bibo forest, seashores, and farm fields. The conservation of cultural landscape was thought to be achieved by designating 'Protected Area of Sacred Natural Sites'. The Dangsan forest ought to be recognized for their valuable landscape characteristics. It should be managed as a protected area and a sacred natural sites in order to be registered as a World Cultural Heritage.