• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.216-228
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to apply the handheld Raman spectrometer to identify the coloring materials used in a large Buddhist painting (of Maitreya Buddha) at Janggoksa Temple through cross-validation with HH-XRF. An in situ investigation was performed together with use of a digital microscope and HH-XRF analysis to verify the properties of pigments used in the gwaebul ("large Buddhist painting") via a non-destructive method. However, the identification of coloring materials composed of light elements and mixed or overlaid pigments is difficult using only non-destructive analysis data. Unlike in situ investigation, laboratory analysis often required samples yet the sampling is restricted to a small quantity due to the cultural heritage characteristic. Thus, it is necessary to develop a non-destructive in situ method to supplement the HH-XRF data. The large Buddhist painting at Janggoksa Temple was painted mainly using white, red, yellow, green, and blue colors. The Raman spectroscopy provides molecular information, while XRF spectroscopy provides information about elemental composition of the pigments. Analysis results identified various coloring materials: inorganic pigment, such as lead white, minium, cinnabar, and orpiment, as well as organic pigment such as gamboge and indigo. Therefore, it is possible to obtain more information for the identification of pigments; organic pigment and mixed or overlaid pigments, while at the same time minimizing the collection sample and simplifying the analysis procedure compared to previously used methods. The results of this study will be used as basic data for the analysis of painting cultural heritage through a non-destructive in situ method in the future.

• SUVANNABHUMI
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.1-20
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• 2009

This research tries to review the history and concepts of Thai temple mural painting. According to the research results, the history of Thai mural painting dates back to the late 14th century when Wat Chedi Chet Taeo in Si Satchanalai was built. The Sinhalese elements embedded in the Sukhothai murals are also found in the Ayuthayan stupa murals made in the early 15th century. The mid 18th century's Burmese invasion into Ayuthaya destroyed most of Buddhist temples in the Kingdom of Ayuthaya and as a result, Buddhist murals of the late Ayuthayan age are hardly found except for some temple murals located outside of the capital. The late Ayuthayan murals are much different from the early Ayuthayan murals in that they are narrative in depicting Jataka and the life of Lord Buddha. This classical mural painting culminated in the age of Rama III of Bangkok Dynasty. His successor Rama IV undertook westernized reforms which influenced the area of traditional mural painting. Consequently, new western style Buddhist mural paintings were produced while themes of mural painting were enlarged to the other subjects such as historical recording of royal and social events. This trend continued in the age of Rama V but the development of Thai Buddhist mural painting discontinued after the death of Rama V due to the rapid westernization and decrease of illiteracy. The existing Buddhist murals produced on or before the reign of Rama V are deteriorating and disappearing. The reasons for this are partly because of Thailand's humid climate. However, some social backgrounds such as the lack of concern for preserving old Buddhist murals can not be disregarded. Considering the substantial value of Thai Buddhist murals as a cultural resource in Thai society, it is very urgent to establish appropriate conservation policy for them.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.33
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• pp.162-181
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• 2000

This paper investigates sixteen rock-cut arhat images of the Koryo period at Sungbul-sa (成佛寺) in Chunan (天安), South Chungchung Province. These images, together with a Buddha triad in the center, are carved in thin relief on the large granite wall ($375cm{\times}248cm$), and below them is engraved a huge lotus petal which looks to be supporting all the images above. According to extant textual sources, arhats were popularly worshipped in the Koryo period. The Painting of Five Hundred Arhat Images was brought to Koryo from Later Liang (後梁) of the Five Dynasties (五代) in 923. From that time on, the cult of arhat had become gradually known in Koryo. More than thirty ceremonies worshipping arhats (羅漢齊) were officially held in Koryo court. The Sixteen Arhat images (十六羅漢像) were enshrined in many temples. In Boje-sa (普濟寺), which kings and aristocrats often visited for ritual ceremonies, had its main hall dominated by the Five Hundred Arhats, called Nahan-pocheon (羅漢寶殿). However, a limited number of arhat images of the Koryo period, originally made as sets of sixteen or five hundred arhats, are now extant. The Sixteen Arhat images at Sungbul-sa are unique examples that show all sixteen images in situ. The Sixteen Arhat images, though some of them are abraded, show various postures and gesture. One of them sits with his knee bent, and one arhat is sitting on a chair with his hand held upward. Each image is carved in a niche, just as the arhat images of Northern Song China are normally represented in niches of a cave, and are quite similar in style to the arhat images of the Northern Song period at Qinglindong (靑林洞) cave, Feilaifeng (飛來峰), Zejiang province (浙江省). This similarity between the arhat images of Sungbul-sa and those of Qinglindong certifies the strong impact of Song Buddhist art on Koryo frequently mentioned in texts. The Sixteen Arhat images surround the central Buddha raising his hand up to his chest. This Buddha triad could be ascribed to be either the Maitreya Buddha triad or the Sakyamuni Buddha triad based on the Lotus Sutra (妙法蓮華經). Still, the Sakyamuni Buddha triad was more often represented with sixteen or five hundred arhats in the Koryo period, as was seen in the record of Boje-sa where the Sakyamuni triad was enshrined with five hundred arhat images. The Sixteen Arhat images of Sungbul-sa arc most likely to be a rare example of Koryo Arhat images showing the Sakyamuni Buddha triad and the Sixteen Arhats who were predicted to be Buddhas by Sakyamuni in the Lotus Sutra.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 2022

The embroidered Kasaya is the twenty-five column Kasaya of Triratna: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Even though it is a representative artifact of embroidery, the method of manufacturing heavily depends on the collector's reports. This study focuses on the prayer's recorder: Gonmyeong Park, born in Muja, and Ven. Haebung, who acted as a historical investigator of embroidered Kasaya. The beginning of Haebung's public record was in 1815, and his entrance into nirvana in 1826. The birth year of prayer in Muja was 1768. Therefore, the embroidered Kasaya was manufactured at the end of the 18th century or the early 19th century. Haebung appears to have played a critical role in historical investigation, and consequently the 125 icons of Triratna are almost identical in three treasures: the Kasaya at Seonamsa Temple, the embroidered Kasaya, and the painting of the embroidered Kasaya at Cheongnyongsa Temple. The embroidered Kasaya was particularly affected by the religion of a thousand Buddhas and by Triratna in the late Joseon era. Unlike the Kasaya of a thousand Buddhas in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the embroidered Kasaya shows the Triratna in detail, suggesting that the icons of Triratna were newly created.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.23
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• pp.53-65
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• 2008

This research investigated and analyzed the structure and material feature of the wall behind the Buddha of main temple in An-dong Bongjeonsa through applying the natural scientific method, in order to closely examine its production technique. As a result of the research, the structural and material feature of the wall has been clarified and its production technique applied to the structure has been understood in a comprehensive sense. The target sample basically adopted the two-layer wall system, which showed a symmetric structure to the center made with the wooden material, and is estimated to follow the structural tendency of a general wall which is organized with the first layer, the midterm layer, and the painting wall layer. Each layer formed by the production procedure showed difference in the material and production method according to its characteristics and roles. And it was identified that, in general, the higher a layer lies, the finer grains it has. Combination of the main materials and the additives, used for the wall forming, was presumed to contribute to improving its durability and conservativeness. Also interaction between the materials generating the conservativeness and the producer's technical effect seemed to fortify solidity of the wall.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.212-223
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• 2012

Pigments used paintings, ornaments, weapons and various objects have been recognised as important elements to ascertain the history, manufacturing technique and cultural migration. Since the understanding of composition of pigments by analysis began in 1963, its technique and methodology has much advanced in recent years; recent study used the portable X-ray Fluorescence as non-destructive analysis has been practiced in particular. However the study on pigments necessitates overall and systematic research because it is difficult to understand periodical and regional use of pigments. by fractional studies. Therefore this research investigates the coloring materials and painting techniques of the scroll painting depicting preaching scene of Sakyamuni Buddha in Daeungjeon Hall, a main hall of Bulguk temple, through scientific analysis and comparison of various pigments which had been applied to the buddhist paintings of Joseon Dynasty. Consequently, it is confirmed that the scroll painting used pigments of white lead[$2PbCO_3{\cdot}Pb(OH)_2$] for ground layer and used mixture of different pigments such as cinnabar (HgS) minium($Pb_3O_4$) malachite($2CuO{\cdot}CO_2{\cdot}H_2O$) hematite($Fe_2O_3$) gold(Ag) for presenting various colors on the painting layer. It has been also believed that mineral pigments were applied to the scroll painting, yet it is difficult to confirm whether it is natural or synthetic pigments because the crystal structures of pigments were not analyzed. The results of this study, however, provide useful reference data for the understanding of the components of pigments and manufacturing techniques of buddhist scroll paintings, in particular, of Joseon Dynasty.

• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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• v.100
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• pp.112-138
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• 2021

This paper mainly analyzes the records titled 'Shijujil(施主秩)' from the Bokjangs of each of the Rocana and Shakyamuni statues enshrined as wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triadcomposed of Vairocana(center), Rocana(right), and Shakyamuni(left) at the Daeungjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye. The Shijujil from the Shakyamuni statue was recovered through Bokjang investigation in September 2015 and has been kept in the museum of Hwaeomsa as an undisclosed relic. After the discovery of the Shijujil from the Rocana statue through an Bokjang investigation in July 2020, both of the Shijujils were only officially released through the special exhibition 'Grand Hwaeomsa Temple in Jirisan Mountain' in September 2021. Existing documents recording on the creation of Buddha statues in the 17th century are in the form of sheets or rolls. However, the Shijujils take the form of simple stitched booklets. The Shijujil from Rocana consists of 19 chapters and 38 pages in one book, and the Shijujil from Shakyamuni consists of 11 chapters and 22 pages in one book. The contents of the Shijujils consist of the purpose of the Buddha statue creation, the creation date, the year and place of enshrining, the names of the statues, the people in charge and their roles, the sculptors, the list of items donated, and the list of the contributors. In addition, the list of monks who were staying at Hwaeomsa Temple at that time are also recorded, so the Shijujil is like a time capsule that tells the situation of Hwaeomsa Temple about 400 years ago. According to the records of the Shijujils and the Writing on the wooden pedestal of Rocana, the Vairocana Triad began to be in March 1634(12th year of King Injo) and was completed in August of that year, and was enshrined in the Daeungjeon Hall in the fall of the following year. It is very important to confirm that the Vairocana Buddha Triad of Hwaeomsa was created in 1634. Since studies on the reconstruction of Hwaeomsa Temple in the 17th century and the roles of Byeokam Gakseong have been mainly based on 『湖南道求禮縣智異山大華嚴寺事蹟』 written by monk Haean in 1636, it has been estimated that the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad was created in 1636. However, it is now known that the Virocana Buddha Triad was created in 1634. The Shijujils are also a good source of information about Byeokam Gakseong who played a pivotal roles in the reconstruction projects of Hwaeomsa Temple in the 17th century. He played leading roles in rebuilding the East Five-story Stone Pagoda(1630), in creating the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad(1634), and in producing the Yeongsanhoe Gwaebul(1653, Hanging Scroll Painting depicting the Shakyamuni preaching). It is also very important that the Shijujils are records that can reveal the relationship between Byeokam Gakseong and royal family of Joseon Dynasty in the 17th century. The Shijujils from Rocana and Shakyamuni are the first documents ever discovered in which the names of royal family members, such as Uichanggun(Gwang Lee, son of King Seonjo), Ikseong Shin(son-in-law of King Seonjo), and Crown Prince Sohyeon(son of King Injo) are recorded in detail in relation to the production of Buddha statues. The Shijujils from Rocana and Shakyamuni contain specific information about the production of the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad in the 17th century, such as the year of production of the Buddha statues, the role of Byeokam Gakseong, and the relationship between Byeokam Gakseong and the royal family, so it is of great value not only for art history but also for historical studies of Hwaeomsa Temple.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.535-548
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• 2016

Hanging paintings are used for special ceremonies in Buddhist temple. They are stored in special storage box called "Gwaebulgwae" which means storage box for a hanging painting. Studies regarding pigments, background fibers and textiles of hanging paintings are carried out with many data in the field of conservation science. However, there are only few studies for the axes of hanging paintings and storage boxes. In this study, species identification for wooden axes of hanging paintings and storage boxes from the Joseon dynasty are carried out. Hanging painting of Beopjusa temple, Magoksa temple, Sudeoksa temple, Gaeamsa temple, Sudosa temple, Bukjangsa temple, Dorimsa temple, Tongdosa temple and Daeryeonsa temple are selected. Sampling is carried out from the axes of hanging paintings and storage boxes. 81 samples are collected from hanging paintings and storage boxes. As a result, 51 hard pines of Pinus spp., 8 Tilia spp., 6 Juniperus spp., 5 soft pines of Pinus spp., 4 Tsuga spp., 3 Pseudotsuga spp., 2 Berchemia spp., 1 Pyrus spp., 1 Bambusoideae are identified. Tsuga spp. and Pseudotsuga spp. might be used in conservation and restoration works in modern times because those species do not naturally grow in Korea. Most hanging paintings and storage boxes are made of hard pine. Also, some of are made of Tilia spp., because it represents the symbol of Buddha. Some unique kinds of trees used for wooden sculpture are identified, such as Juniperus spp. and Berchemia spp. Authentic conservation and restoration works could be carried out with this data-base.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.712-722
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• 2021

This study presents a method for conserving shamanistic spirits in Chiseonggwang Buddha. Scientific investigation has revealed that these spirits have been subject to degeneration as a result of severe exfoliation and pollution. The materials and preservation treatment techniques used in create these shamanistic spirits were identified through visual inspection and using appropriate scientific equipment. The different types of background paper, background material, and color pigments used in create the shamanistic spirits were analyzed using a colorimeter, stereoscopic microscope, and SEM-EDS techniques. The analysis revealed that the pulp paper was used as the background and synthetic fiber polyester as the background material. In addition, the study of the pigment revealed that the color components were all synthetic, except for red lead [Pb₃O₄] and oyster shell white [CaCO₃]. Moreover, it was confirmed that the green pigment, identified as emerald green [Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂.3Cu(AsO₂)₂], was a major component of shamanistic spirits in the late 19^th century. The shamanistic spirits in Chiseonggwang Buddha were conserved by identifying raw materials and pigments through this detailed analysis.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.37
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• pp.121-150
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• 2004

As genre of Buddhist paintings that express generally mountains and waters, there are Eight Scenes from Life of the Buddha(八相圖), Eternal Life Painting(甘露圖), Avalokitesvara Painting(觀音菩薩圖) includes Sixteen Lohans painting(十六羅漢圖), and Hermit Painting(獨聖圖), or Mountain God Painting(山神圖) which is especially appeared in late Chosun Period. These Buddhist paintings had various backgrounds including mountains and waters, the tradition of Water Ink Painting still remains after 18th century, however the trends got complicated to express various landscapes including splendid color, waters and mountains, and it appeared to have historical trend with introduction of factors of Minhwa(民畵) so called in 19th century. Sixteen Lohans painting painted from late 19th to early 20th century, still contains the traditional factors in terms of describing background among above trends, however the main factors of expressing the background are different from other Buddhist painting which reflects historical art trends in colors and its materials by drawing various background distinctively. That is, Sixteen Lohans painting is distinct at describing the background of blue & green colored mountains and waters that is appeared in trend of Minhwa(民畵) and the royal which were popular at that time It also shows broad acceptance with introduction of new background expressions such as Sipjangsang(十長生, Picture of 10 different things of Sun, Mountain, Water, Stone, Cloud, Pine, Plant of eternal youth, tortoise, Crane, and deer to hope the eternal life) Unryoung(雲龍, Dragon Cloud), Mangho(猛虎, Wild Tiger), Gweseck(怪石, Oddly shaped stone), Hwajo(花鳥, Flowers and Birds), Chaekgoeri(冊巨里, The books and bookshaves). In terms of its materials, positive representations of eternal life, wealth and luck were mainly appeared, this is closely related with Self-Search of Buddhist which was the trend at that time that Buddhist turned into the popularized religion in Chosun Period, especially the cooperation of popular belief with Taoism. This is appeared on various Taoists that is expressed in Buddhist paintings of Sixteen Lohans painting at that time. It would provide some clauses to infer the painted years of existing Minhwa at the fixed type of folk story paintings appeared on Sixteen Lohans painting painted mainly from late 19th to early 20th Century. There is also a possibility of the active participation of Buddhist painters(佛畵僧) as painters of Minhwa by request and demands from common people. Inquiry into factors of folk story paintings among Buddhist paintings started from similarity of the materials and shapes, however it doesn't seem to have dramatically expressed comic or exceptional techniques. But, the fact that there are similar types of decorative pictures in the Royal Court rather seemed to be possible for Buddhist paintings to have functions as religion.