▲ This photo, provided by the National Research Institute to Maritime Cultural Heritage, shows the Chuidu discovered from Cheongpodae Beach, Taeaon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

▲This photo, provided by the National Research Institute to Maritime Cultural Heritage, shows ornamental roof tiles of the Joseon palaces (Changdeokgung Myungjong Gate). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) 

 

 

▲ This photo, provided by the National Research Institute to Maritime Cultural Heritage, shows the front and back side of the ornamant shaped of a man in armor. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) 

 

 

▲ This photo, provided by the National Research Institute to Maritime Cultural Heritage, shows the spot where the ornamental roof tiles were discovered. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) 

 

 

 

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- 2 pieces of “Chuidu,” roof tiles, shaped of a dragon’s head, used to decorate the royal buildings of the early Joseon Dynasty have been discovered from the mudflats of Cheongpodae Beach, Taeaon, South ChungCheong Province, according to the National Research Institute to Maritime Cultural Heritage Thursday.

The relic, found during excavation research on Cheongpodae Beach in June, is the first chuidu from the early Joseon Dynasty to be discovered in perfect shape.

The Chuidu is 103 cm high, and its maximum width is 83 cm. On top of the head of a big dragon glaring fiercely with its mouth wide open, is a small dragon and spiral patterns. The dragon’s face is three-dimensional, realistic and shows dignity. Its scales, manes and wrinkles are elaborate.

The roof tile has the same shape and patterns as that of Sungryemun Gate, which was burnt down in 2008, and is similar to dubbed Jung-moon, roof tiles of a temple from China’s Ming dynasty, according to the Institution.

This recent discovery, along with a bottom part of a Chuidu found in the same place by a local resident who was digging for shells in September 2019 and with Japsang which was also found in the same area as well in October 2019, will be on display from 31st of August to September 5th at the exhibition hall of the Taean Maritime Museum.

The Japsang, 30 cm high and 22cm wide in maximum, is a shape of a man in armor sitting on a pedestal with his hands gently on his knees. Its movement is lively expressed, and the armor’s scales are made in detail.

Its shape and way of depicting patters are the same as those of the early Joseon Dynasty found in Gyeongbokgung Palace or Hoeamsagi.

Back in the Joseon Dynasty, for the roofs of buildings such as palaces, ornamental roof tiles like Chuidu and Japsang were used. Chuidu were usually made in two or three parts separated into upper and bottom parts. Then the tiles were attached on the roof and connected with metal nails. Japsang is a tile in various shapes to decorate the hip ridge and an ornament shaped of a man in armor is placed in the very front.

“The relics seemed to have been produced in Seoul but on their way to the 3 Southern regions (Chungcheong Province, Jeolla Province and Gyeonsang Province) the ship carrying the tiles for royal building constructions may have been wrecked around Taean,” explained the Institution.

Videos regarding Chuidus and Japsangs are available on to the National Research Institute to Maritime Cultural Heritage’s YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/국립해양문화재연구소).

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[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]