• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.90-101
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• 2024

The test answer sheets submitted by examinees in the Joseon Dynasty were called Sigwon (test papers with answers, 試卷), and Siji (blank test papers, 試紙) were generally prepared by the examinees themselves. At that time, paper was not produced as a standard product, so there was no uniformity in size or manufacturing method. Mulberry paper in the Joseon Dynasty was basically transparent, so various paper processing methods were applied for examinees to write answers on both sides. In order for ink lines to be written smoothly, Dochim (hitting paper with a wooden bat on the stone, 搗砧) or surface processing was treated. We found a 19th-century Siji (試紙) that was processed in a unique way, which led to this study. An unusual Sigwon (試卷) is one by Lee Mangi (李晩耆) from 1848 owned by the National Folk Museum of Korea. We found that an opaque white substance was thickly applied between the papers of this Siji (試紙). Through component analysis using infrared spectrophotometry, fluorescence X-ray spectroscopy, optical and polarizing microscopy, and electron microscopy, this white substance was proved to be rice starch. From these analyses, it is presumed that this Siji (試紙) was made by soaking rice flour in water to remove a significant amount of protein, and then applying wet starch containing a small amount of protein between sheets of paper. In addition, with a Siji (試紙) reproduction experiment, we found that the paper reproduced by this processing method was thick and high in whiteness and opacity. This is believed to be a production method designed to produce double-sided paper without using multiple sheets of paper, which was difficult to obtain at that time. In this study, the material processed between the sheets of paper was disclosed only from < Lee Mangi (李晩耆)'s Sigwon (試卷)(Minsok 71745)>, but this appears to be one of several processing methods to treat the paper during the Joseon Dynasty. We hope that more similar Sigwons will be discovered in the future and that extensive research on processing methods will be conducted.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.7
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• pp.11-24
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• 2006

Plate armour is an important cultural property that reflects the ancient weaponry and the manufacturing technology of ironware as they are. Among the kinds of iron armour, horizontal plate armour has been very rarely excavated, and there are a few artifacts in their unimpaired shape like the plate armour excavated from Mangisanseong. This report reviews the manufacturing technology of ancient plate armour through its radiograph using appliable nondestructive irradiation and scientific conservation treatment. The seven-tiered plate armour excavated from Mangisanseong has ring hinge to open and shut the right side neck guard. The readout result of radiograph proved iron safety guard of Godaepan (a plate that links neck plate and horizontal plate) and leather safety guard of the right armpit with plate overlap and perforation interval; perforations that seem to have linked shoulder strap on wearing the armour are also observed. In particular, it is identified that the perforation and riveting technique avoided the connection of more than three plates with a rivet. This is an important material to illustrate the best use of function of plate armour overcoming its limit.