• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.122-147
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• 2012

The Four-guardian statues in Song-gwang buddhist temple, Suncheon, Korea, have been remade in AD 1628 and have been repaired and repainted over several times since then. Therefore, the study of the pigments applied on the statues can provide good chance for investigation about pigments used in the late Chosun Period. Pigments on fragments from Gwang-mok(Virupaksha), one of the Four-guardian statues, have been analyzed by optical microscope, SEM-EDX and XRD in order to identify the components and compounds. Six types of materials were found from the fragments, which are soil layer with brown clay band, soil layer containing a lot of fibers, Korean paper with loose texture, Korean paper with dense texture, silk, and hemp textile. Presumably, the soil layer which have brown clay band is basis layer and the other layers are repaired layers. From comparative study for the components of the pigments, applied on upper and lower parts of the repaired layers, we have concluded that those repaired layers had been applied on the statue by the following order; basis layer ${\rightarrow}$ Korean paper with loose texture ${\rightarrow}$ soil containing a lot of fibers ${\rightarrow}$ silk ${\rightarrow}$ hemp textile and Korean paper with dense texture. In addition, the years that those materials were applied on the statue have been estimated as 1720~1891, 1926, 1946 and 1976, respectively. The distinct features of each age are as the following; lead white and copper chloride hydroxide are major white and green pigments before 1891, zinc white, barium white, emerald green, and ultramarine blue appear after 1926 and titanium white uprises around 1976. Our result presented here, study on pigments applied on traditional statues over several different periods, will provide good database for future study on pigments used for traditional painting in Buddist temples and Dancheong.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.353-366
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• 2012

This study was interpreted the making techniques of the Four Guardian Statues in Wanju Songkwangsa Temple, and retained basic data necessary for conservation treatment and restoration of the same material by estimating the soil source. The molding clay used in the Statues showed a variety of material characteristics according to different layers. The first and mid layers estimated as the original molding clay are composed of the same kind of soil. The soil of the finish layer was also confirmed to be genetically similar to that of the first and mid layers, despite little discrepancy. The former restoration layer was inconsistent in material characteristics with the original molding clay in every result of analysis. As a result of gamma radiography, making techniques of the Statues were able to identify the figure of the frame connecting the woods of main pillar frame to sub-frame and steel wire with ㄷ-clamp, nails and straw ropes, and the molding clay constructed upon the frame. Meanwhile, provenance interpretation confirmed that the soil of the estimated provenance area is of the same origin as the soil of the finish layer, and therefore is an appropriate material for conservation treatment. This result will contribute to the research on making techniques of the molding clay Statues.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.43-60
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• 2010

This study was investigated quantitative and objective making techniques for molding clay of Four-guardian statues in Songgwangsa temple. Also, basic data about the provenance of molding clay was acquired for the restoration using same materials when the conservation treatment is carried out. As a result, molding clay used the Four-guardian statues was identified the very similar soil regardless of layers and objects. But molding clay differed in particle sizes and contents of organic matters according to the first layer to finish layer in relatively thick parts. Also, it was used one kind of soil without the layer distinction in thin parts. The restoration soil was applied to genetically similar soil as molding clay of the Four-guardian statues, and showed a difference of careful selection degree according to the layers. As a result of the provenance interpretation, the soil distributing presumed provenance was confirmed the same origin as molding clay. Therefore, the soil is appropriate for the materials of conservation treatment. This result will contribute inorganic material research and conservation treatment for the clay molded Four-guardian statues in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.168-191
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• 2021

This article examines the shape, iconography, and creation date of the Four Buddhist Heavenly Kings (Sacheonwang 四天王) enshrined in the Heavenly Kings' Gate (Cheonwangmun 天王門) of Hoeamsa in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province during the early Joseon Dynasty. First, small fragments of clay decoration excavated from a fourth-platform gate site of the Hoeamsa Temple Site in Yangju Gyeonggi Province were analyzed and compared to other Four Heavenly Kings enshrined in the (Cheonwangmun gates) during the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, the size and shape of the gate were compared to other Cheonwangmun gates constructed during the Joseon Dynasty. Results revealed that the excavated fragments were part of the armor of Sacheonwang, and the clay-standing statues enshrined in the fourth-platform gate of Hoeamsa Temple would be proportional in size to those of Beopjusa Temple in Boeum, South Chungcheong Province. The flame-type pieces, which decorated the Heavenly King's crown in the Joseon Dynasty, and the rectangular-type pieces were not found in artifacts from the Goryeo Dynasty. Therefore, the Sacheonwang sculptures of the Hoeamsa Temple were likely made in the late 15th century in the early Joseon Dynasty. A detailed iconography of the Sacheonwang of Hoeamsa is presumedly based on the Buddhist paintings and illustrations of Buddhist scriptures (Gyeongbyeonsangdo 經變相圖)from the late Goryeo and early Joseon. During the late Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon Dynasty, Traditional iconography from Goryeo and new iconography from Ming coexisted. However, in the late 15th century, the Sacheonwang statues of the early Joseon Dynasty had many different elements from those of the Goryeo Dynasty and were similar to those enshrined in Cheonwangmun Gate during the Joseon Dynasty. The Four Heavenly Kings of Hoeamsa Temple, believed to have been produced in the late 15th century, has historical significance in the following points. They were the first Joseon Sacheonwang statues example enshrined in the Cheonwangmun gate. In addition, they were established as a new tradition that influenced the iconography of the Four Heavenly Kings during the Joseon Dynasty.