• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2018

This study aims to investigate an aspect of physical palace by reviewing the emergences of tigers and leopards in the palace in Hanyang from the environmental historical perspective. To do so, three topics in environmental history were reviewed including 'environment,' 'impact of human-beings on the environment,' and 'sense and attitude of human-beings on the environment' based on the historical records such as "'Wangjoshilok(王朝實錄)". The results of this study are as follows. First, It was confirmed that leopards and tigers were emerged not only in the palace but also near the City Wall of Hanyang from time to time in Joseon Dynasty. Moreover, tigers lived and propagated in the backyard. Second, This situation may be caused by the natural factors of palace in Hanyang including location, philosophy and technique of building, and so on. That means 'good location' placed by palace worked favorably not only for human-beings but also for the activities of tigers and leopards. Third, In addition to the locational environment, forest policies on the palace and capital may facilitate the emergences of leopards and tigers. With the managements of pine trees, prohibition of burials, prohibition of climbing, prohibition of mountain entrance, and so on, forests were developed in the mountainous territories, which might play a role of shelters or passages for the tigers and leopards. Fourth, It was confirmed that countermeasures on the emergences of tigers in the palace as well as the capital city were different by the kings. Out of these, Jeong-jo was highlighted to seek the realistic countermeasures with actual understanding on the emergences of tigers and leopards. Fifth, In summary, frequent emergences of tigers and leopards in the palace and capital city could be a practical evidence to show 'pro-naturalism' or 'eco-friendliness' of the palace in Joseon which was mentioned superficially, paradoxically speaking. Further studies with the related disciplines are required on the cultural or ecological history of the palace. In addition, it is considered to conduct more detailed scientific studies related to the trend of ecological changes in Joseon.