• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.35-47
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• 2022

This study investigated the stone Angbu-ilgu (scaphe sundial) of the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) and the Seoul Museum of History (SMH). Since the first Angbu-ilgu was produced in Korea in 1434 (the year of the reign of King Sejong), Angbu-ilgu has been reproduced with various materials. The upper surface of these two stone Angbu-ilgus symbolizes the horizon. On the hemisphere concave at the center of the horizon, the South Pole, the time line, and the season line are engraved. On the horizon of both the KMA and SMH Angbu-ilgus, the schematic, typeface, and composition of the inscription completely coincide with each other. In this study, it was estimated that the appearance of the KMA Angbu-ilgu, which was damaged at some point previously at least once, was similar to that of the SMH Angbu-ilgu, and this means that it is superficially similar with Treasure No 840, the stone horizontal sundial. In the concave hemisphere of both the stone Angbu-ilgus of the KMA and SMH, there are hour lines and 24 solar-term lines (13 line), and there is an intersection point where these lines meet the horizon, respectively. It can be verified that these intersections of these two Angbu-ilgus can be calculated as having a latitude of +37°39'15". The hour lines of the two stone Angbu-ilgus show that they were made after about 1900.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.69-87
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• 2024

This study analyzes the characteristics of the Angbu-ilgu, a Korean sundial resembling a concave hemisphere, which was crafted in 1434 during the sixteenth reign of King Sejong (r. 1418-1450) of the Joseon Dynasty, although no remains of it exist today. We draw upon historical documents, such as the Sejong-Sillok (Veritable Records of King Sejong), Donggyeong-Jiji (Chorography of the Joseon Dynasty), and Yuanshi (History of the Yuan Dynasty), as well as related extant relics. The primary features of King Sejong's Angbu-ilgu were as follows. First, celestial-circumference degrees were intricately engraved along the meridian line. Second, 12 double-hours were represented by images corresponding to their respective animal divinities. Third, a plate was affixed to the end of the gnomon, which stood perpendicular to the alidade, serving as a handle, rotated along two axes, and included a pinhole. Fourth, the diameter of the hemisphere measured 414 mm, approximately 1.5-2.1 times larger than extant Angbu-ilgu relics. Finally, four pillars supporting the Angbu-ilgu were positioned at four cardinal points. In conclusion, this study holds significance for restoring the Angbu-ilgu from the era of King Sejong.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.24-37
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• 2023

This study analyzes the materials and external characteristics of the Angbu-ilgu, a kind of scaphe sundial, which was newly designated as a Korean Treasure in 2022. The Angbu-ilgu Treasure is owned by three institutions - the National Palace Museum Of Korea, Gyeongju National Museum, and Sungshin Women's University Museum - and is similar as a twin in its material, size, outward appearance, as well as production techniques that include casting, silver inlays, and metal joints. The Three-Treasure Angbu-ilgu is made of brass in the ratio of 90.6: 6.0: 1.8 with Cu: Zn: Pb. This composition clearly differs from Treasure No. 845, an Angbuilgu which has a composition ratio of 82.2: 3.7: 11.8 with Cu: Zn: Pb. In this new Angbu-ilgu Treasure, the hemisphere's stand has four vertical pillars sculpted in a dragon pattern and bilateral wings carved in a cloud pattern on the pillars, which are joined to the hemisphere's horizontal ring with rivets and silver solders, respectively. The dragon-in-clouds pillar (雲龍柱) shows the most outstanding formative beauty of the various Angbu-ilgu pillars produced in the late Joseon Dynasty. It can be seen that the altitude of the north pole engraved on the Angbu-ilgu was made after 1713. Production is, however, actually estimated to have occurred close to the 19th century, the era of the Jinju Kang family, who were professional Angbuilgu makers. Hopefully, this study will lead to a historical science and technology review with modern scientific instruments analyzing the materials and external characteristics of the three Angbu-ilgus designated as a Korean Treasure in 2022.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.161-172
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• 2010

In this paper, we investigate the sundials made by the Kang Family of Jinju in the later period of the Joseon dynasty in terms of their characteristics, functions and the manufacturing technique. One of the characteristics of these sundials is that the value of polar height (i.e., the latitude of Seoul), the name of manufacturer, 24 seasonal subdivisions and so forth are written on the surface. In particular, polar height is expressed as '$37^{\circ}$ 39' 15"' in all 12 sundials examined in this study. To investigate the manufacturing technology in terms of astronomy, we analyze the positions of gnomon and of the lines corresponding to 24 seasonal subdivisions (season lines) and to each hour (hour lines). To verify the accuracy of the positions, we use a planar projection method. That is, we obtain 2D images of the sundials using a camera or scanner, and compare these with astronomical calculations for the positions of gnomon and season/hour lines. We believe that this method will be very useful for the study of sundials preserved elsewhere.