• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.86-109
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• 2009

Mireuksa Temple was founded during the reign of King Mu of Baekje(AD 600-641). The circumstance of the construction of this temple is documented in "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms (Samgukyusa)". The pagoda named stone pagoda at Mireuksaji temple stands outside the main sanctuary of the western area. The south and west sides of the stone pagoda have completely collapsed, leaving only the eastern facade of six of its levels intact. Through the recent discovery of sarira reliquary we can see that the erection of this pagoda was in 639. So owing to accumulation of excavation results about Baekje temple site and vigorous academic exchange, it is possible that architecture of western pagoda at Mireuksaji temple can be understood in connection with the architectural development of wooden pagoda from 6th to early 7th century in East Asia. So this study is on the consideration of building of this pagoda putting first structure of upper part and cross-shaped space in 1st floor. It was considered that the material characteristics as stone could be applied to the temple pagoda architecture of large scale. The results are as follows. First, it had been built in recognition that the outer and inner part of pagoda should be separated. As it is the expression of structural system in temple pagoda architecture of large scale at that time. In pagoda there was a self-erected structure and the members of outer part of it were constructed additionally. Second, in Mireuksaji stone pagoda there is central column with stones. With inner part of pagoda it can be regarded as mixed structural system that constitutes central contral column and inner structural part. And it could be a kind of middle step to more developed structure of whole as wooden pagodas in Japan. Third, as the sarira reliquary was in central column on the first floor, the cross-shaped space could be made. The formation of this space was so on the natural meaning of sarira that the concept as memorial service of graves could be apllied to the pagoda. The style of tomb in Baekje was expressed to the space of 1st floor in pagoda where Sarira had been mstalled. That was not only effective presentation of symbolic space but also easier method in the use of same material.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.37
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• pp.151-168
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• 2004

The Mireuk Temple Stone pagoda is the largest scale of the existing Stone Pagoda in Korea. A research until now postulates that the Stone pagoda at Mireuk Temple site is composed of nine stories total. However it does not have any records of the detail, dimension, and related methods, etc, even though it is a tectonically large scale building. Only one source of the description is based upon a story which is a sort of Korean myth or traditional story (Samkukyousa, Mu dynasty), although a historical description from a myth or a story is a polemical issue and still needed research in order to prove the truth. One of the ways to make a proof of the truth is an architectural research from the typology of the plane. The types of the plane are differentiated from each era. Therefore, the typology of the plane presents a reason or a proof for the age of the pagoda. Furthermore, the typology of the plane is crucial part in the research of the historical style and it could help the historical style of the Mireuk temple stone pagoda. Research until now shows that the Mireuk temple stone pagoda is the genesis of the stone pagoda shaped after wooden one. It is impossible to find any previous one from the stone pagoda at Mireuk Temple site in Korea. So it is easier to find any previous example from the history of China because Buddhist pagoda-most pagodas are something to do with Buddhism-in Korea is introduced by India via China. This research presents the periodical variation of stone and brick pagoda in both countries. It concludes that the Mireuk temple stone pagoda has $7^{th}$ century's plane type.

• Korean Architects
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• no.10 s.258
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• pp.80-85
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• 1990

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.24-37
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• 2005

In this study we examined the geomorphological and geological characteristics of the granite landforms in the Iksan area. Moreover we investigated the source areas of stones which are used to build the Mieruksaji west stone pagoda. Joint is most identifiable geomorphological and geological structure in the Iksan area. Direction of J1 joint appears to be N71°E∼EW, and that of J2 joint ranges N20°W∼N20°E. Cross-pattern joint is predominant in the study area, and linen.-pattern vertical joint is also observed. Tor and corestone are easily found as geomorphological features in the study area. Corestones forming for are almost 2∼3 m across and 2∼3 m or over 5 m high. Their hardness is mainly of hammer bounce. Tower-type and castle-type of for are characteristic in the Mireuksan granites. Other geomorphological features such as tafoni, gnamma are also observed in the study area. Petrographical and geochemical features of the stones used for the Mireuksaji west stone pagoda are compared with those of the granites cropped out nearby, and indicate that the stones from the Mieruksaji west stone pagoda are quite similar to the Mireuksan granites. In the Mireuksan we can easily find lots of old traces for rock cutting.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

A number of tangible cultural properties have been left to suffering damage without any scientific conservation or maintenance. We conducted nondestructive geophysical explorations around the Western pagoda of the Iksan Mireuksa Temple for the purpose of preparing the counterplan of its conservation and maintenance and of utilizing the geophysical information for the design of repair. Geophysical image of the shallow subsurface around the construct resulting from electric resistivity, seismic refraction, and GPR methods carried out along 6 lines in the site was used to investigate the relationship between the foundation characteristics and the structural safety. Tilting of the pagoda southwest towards seems to result from the low resistivity zones found in the southwestern part. The GPR and seismic surveys revealed a boundary at depth of 3.3～3.5m dividing into two layers, compacted overlaid soil and the original ground. The boundary appears to dip southwest. The artificial layer as a foundation does not covers as much as the bottom area of the pagoda. This top soil dipping southwest seems to result in tilting of foundation southwestward towards. Our geophysical result suggests ground reinforcement in the western part of the survey area for the conservation of the construct.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.104-110
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• 2005

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.03a
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004