''Daemokjang'' (; alternatively Daimokjang) is a style of traditional Korean wooden architecture and a term for the

woodworking Woodworking is the skill of making items from wood, and includes cabinetry, furniture making, wood carving, joinery, carpentry, and woodturning. History Along with stone, clay and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked b ...

artisans who create it. The word literally means ''carpenter''. ''Mokjang'' means

woodworker Woodworking is the skill of making items from wood, and includes cabinetry, furniture making, wood carving, joinery, carpentry, and woodturning. History Along with stone, clay and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by ea ...

, and are divided into ''Somokjang'' (''lit.'' lesser woodworker) and ''Daemokjang'' (''lit.'' greater woodworker). ''Somokjang'' who make small wooden objects are

joiner Joinery is a part of woodworking that involves joining pieces of wood, engineered lumber, or synthetic substitutes (such as laminate), to produce more complex items. Some woodworking joints employ mechanical fasteners, bindings, or adhesives, ...

s; ''Daemokjang'' who builds wooden buildings are carpenters. ''Daemokjang'' covers the entire field of woodworking and the entire construction process.

History

Daemokjang builders acquire skills through education and practice. At times, the Daemokjang were treated with prestige, and were offered governmental positions. The "Daemokjang Architectural Method and Theorem" originated in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. However, towards the end of that dynasty (in the 18th century), the term declined in usage. Instead, their surnames changed to 'Fiansu', and other artisans became known as 'Dofiansu'. Their job was to teach and oversee the construction of government buildings and temples.

Architecture

One of Daemokjang's many domains is home construction. This begins with shaving bark off the wood, followed by drawing lines on the timber and other elements to be cut and carved. Pillars of multiple types are then fitted on top of the foundation stones, all of which are laid with a plan for the building's curved roof. These traditional construction techniques require design skills and aesthetic sense (to select construction materials). Their skill and aesthetic sense allow the Daemokjang to create the so-called "joints that withstand a millennium". According to Choi Gi-Yeong, winter was the most useful time for Daemokjang to construct

Hanok A (; name in South Korea) or ''chosŏnjip'' (; name in North Korea and for Koreans in Yanbian, China), is a traditional Korean house. were first designed and built in the 14th century during the Joseon dynasty. Korean architecture conside ...

. The builders' job was first to finish all the required work on the floor before winter came, as ice damages the wood through cutting and drying. Roof tiles were then laid sometime before late June, when precipitation became heavy, and plastering was preferably completed in August, before the start of

Chuseok Chuseok (; , ), also known as Hangawi (; ; from Old Korean, "the great middle f autumn), is a major mid-autumn harvest festival and a three-day holiday in South Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunisolar calendar on the ...

. During this time, dew forms on the walls every morning and dries throughout the day. This reduces the chance of cracks inside the walls.

Recognition

The

UNESCO World Heritage List World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural heritag ...

included '

Changdeokgung Palace Changdeokgung () is a former royal palace in Seoul, South Korea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Historic Site of South Korea, it is among the best preserved of all Korean palaces. It and its neighboring palace Changgyeonggung have together b ...

and

Bulguksa Temple Bulguksa () is a Buddhist temple on Tohamsan, in Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and contains six National Treasures, including the Dabotap and Seokgata ...

as examples of traditional

Korean architecture Korean architecture () refers to an architectural style that developed over centuries in Korea. Throughout the history of Korea, various kingdoms and royal dynasties have developed a unique style of architecture with influences from Korean Buddh ...

constructed by the Daemokjang. Daemokjang and their historical significance to Korea have been safeguarded as national cultural heritage since the official 74th

Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea National Intangible Cultural Heritage () is a national-level designation within the Heritage preservation in South Korea, heritage preservation system of South Korea for intangible cultural heritage. This and other national-level designations are ...

designation in 1982. Master carpenter Bae Hee-Han was designated as the holder of the role in 1982.

Present day

These craftsmen reside and work across Korea. Sin-Eung-Su works in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. Jeon Heung-Su lives and works in Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, and Chumgcheongnam-do. Choi-Gi-Yeong works in

Namyangju-si Namyangju (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. To the east is Gapyeong County, to the west is Guri, and to the north is Pocheon. Namyangju was originally a southern part of Yangju-gun, but was separated into Namyangju-gun in April 19 ...

Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi Province (, ) is the most populous administrative divisions of South Korea, province in South Korea. Seoul, the nation's largest city and capital, is in the heart of the area but has been separately administered as a list of provinc ...

. Choi-Gi-Yeong is one of the three prominent Daemokjang architects still alive in Korea. His contribution to the project of restoring the historical Buddhist monasteries is notable. The

South Korean government The government of South Korea () is the national government of the Republic of Korea, created by the Constitution of South Korea as the executive, legislative and judicial authority of the republic. The president acts as the head of state and ...

awarded him the title of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Geungnakjeon Hall at

Bongjeongsa Bongjeongsa () is a Korean Buddhism, Buddhist temple on the slopes of Mount Cheondeung in Andong city, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is a subsidiary temple of Gounsa, the head temple of the 16th branch of Jogye Order.(in Korean봉 ...

Temple in

Andong Andong () is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in South Korea, and the capital of North Gyeongsang Province. It is the largest city in the northern part of the province with a population of 167,821 as of October 2010. The Nakdong Ri ...

Gyeongsangbuk-do North Gyeongsang Province (, ) is a province in eastern South Korea, and with an area of , it is the largest province in the Korean peninsula. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, and remaine ...

province (built in the 1200th century) is nationally preserved. Choi demolished the wooden building and rebuilt it. Hanok wooden architectural structures are naturally built, and they are created by artists who adhere to principles and fundamentals. All of the elements utilized in construction come from natural sources: Korean pine, clay, stones, tiles, and window paper–all cultivated from nature. Pinewood tends to breathe, and its resin flows into the Hanok. Thus, the house "breathes." The whole process was done based on traditional and scientific principles, and it is said that this contributes to the longevity of their constructions.

References

{{UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity/APA Architecture in Korea Architectural terminology Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity National Intangible Cultural Heritage of South Korea Carpentry