• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.42-59
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the actual cases of crane breeding at private homes in the Joseon Dynasty period, thereby identifying the universal meaning and characteristics of this act reflected in these cases. This study is likely to help understand the true nature of garden culture during the period. The study' temporal and spatial scope was limited to the Joseon Dynasty and private homes. As references for the study, translated versions of classical literature were selected from the Database of Korean Classics(http://db.itkc.or.kr). To complement for the data, related researchers' translated materials were also used in part. The study's results are summed up as follows: First, Individuals from various social classes including royal families, noblemen, noble families in countryside, and commoners kept cranes at their homes. These crane breeders included those who left a significant mark in the Joseon Dynasty politically and academically as well as 'cheosa(處士)' that refers to scholars living in seclusion without entering the government throughout their lifetime. Second, Crane breeders were spread all over the country. Notably, various cases of crane breeding were found within the Hanyang Wall and its vicinity. Third, The act of crane breeding was highly associated with blood ties and academic lineages such as friendships and teacher-student relations. In this regard, crane breeding was not just a simple taste or appreciation for the arts, but rather reflective of a person's life attitude and orientation. Forth, The consciousness of Confucian origins based on an ancient story of Limpo (林逋) appears to have a large impact on the act of crane breeding. In addition, some cases exhibited the reflection of Taoistic tastes. Fifth, Some individuals tamed cranes for a living. This proves the presence of steady demand for cranes in this period. The present study's limitation is its reliance on translated materials, which hindered research into various cases. Therefore, the future discovery of additional data and the accumulation of their translations will enable the investigation of a wealth of cases.