Formative Characteristics of the Soudang (素宇堂) Historic House <italic>Byeoldang</italic> Garden in Uiseong

Abstract

Background and objective This study aimed to estimate the creation period and creators of Soudang historic house Byeoldang (Annexe) Garden (素宇堂古宅 別堂庭園, Unification as ‘SB Garden’ from now on) located in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do through a literature research and field survey, and establish the construction style and value of the garden through research and analysis of its spatial and visual characteristics and garden design. The findings are as follows. Methods The research method was a combination of literature study, field survey, and comparative review. The architectural history of SB Garden were analyzed through a literature survey, and the spatial configuration of Soudanggotaek and the visual and planting design characteristics of SB Garden were derived through field survey. Also the form and style of SB Garden were identified through comparative studies between Japanese garden style cases, and Japanese gardens created in Korea during the late Joseon and Japanese colonial period. Results It is estimated that SB Garden was built between 1890 and 1920, during the late Joseon Dynasty and the early days of Japanese colonial rule, by Lee Jang-seop (1854–1907) and Lee Hong (1887–1972). Comprehensively considering the form of its small hills, the shape of the pond and the introduction of yarimizu, the presentation of oddly-shaped stones and stone structures (stone settings), the introduction of stone bridges and stone lanterns, the strolling route and stepping stones, and the tree species introduced and their planting methods, the hills of SB Garden are different in form and technique from seokgasan created in Korean traditional gardens. Through the hills, the intention of making a garden is detected, with the motif of “garden of cranes and turtles.” Conclusion The foundation from which SB Garden can be considered a Korean traditional garden is very weak, and this garden is evaluated as a modern garden completed by introducing a Japanese garden style in modern times. Specifically, SB Garden is considered to be a stroll-style garden that enables users to appreciate it by connecting the three gardens with stepping stones and stone bridges, including the garden of cranes and turtles (a sort of pond garden), the tea garden centered on the Byeoldang (Annexe), and the stone garden.