Selecting the restoration period and source material in the restoration of early Joseon Buddhist temples in Korea

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study considered how to secure authenticity and integrity in the restoration of wooden architectural heritage and establish the principles for restoration, by tracing the process to determine the restoration period of Korean Buddhist temples using the source materials. It analyzed the features by type of source materials and the data utilized in restoration via the case of restoration of Naksansa Wontongbojeon Hall and looked into the relation between the process that the time point of restoration is determined and the source materials. As the restoration period was determined as early Joseon, buildings established from late Goryeo to early Joseon which have been existing so far were used as the useful source materials in determining building ways to preserve a style of Wontongbojeon Hall. Among the wide range of source materials, the discovered data and pictures as well as current situation were the most influential factors in determining the restoration period as early Joseon. In addition, it was inevitable that current requirements different from the past, including function and purpose of restored buildings, the physical status of surroundings, etc., had to be utilized as the source materials for this study. Therefore, correlation between the restoration period and source materials could be determined because the source materials played an important role in determining the restoration period which also determined the use of source materials. Such a process of restoration implies continuity of the value of lives in the past to the future while securing the principles of restoration, authenticity and integrity.