Buddhist Architecture of Korea (Korean Culture Series #9) (Korea Culture Series) - Hardcover

Sung-woo Kim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1565912268 ISBN 13: 9781565912267

Publisher: Hollym International Corp., 2007

Synopsis

Korean Culture Series #9. The easiest way to learn about Korea s Buddhist culture is to visit the temples where the traditional practice of asceticism is still carried on today. People no longer live in other examples of traditional architecture, such as palaces and Confucian schools and academies; but in temples the monks and nuns eat, sleep and live in the traditional way, wearing traditional robes. Of all the countries in East Asia that share Buddhist culture, only in Korea is the traditional practice of asceticism strongly maintained. This book aims to discuss the part architecture plays in this traditional temple culture. While temple life and the practice of asceticism are integral to each other, this books attempts to isolate the architecture as a physical entity. Though several books taking a similar approach have been published in Korea, this one has been written with foreign readers in mind.

About this title

About the Author:

Prof. Kim Sung-woo was born in Seoul in 1950. After graduating from the department of architecture at Yonsei University he went to the United States where he received his master s degree in urban design from the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in Architecture and art history at the University of Michigan, writing his dissertation on Korean Buddhist architecture. Since returning to Korea he has served as a professor at Yonsei University, mainly lecturing on architectural history and theory. Prof. Kim has published many papers on the subject of architectural history and theory as well as the research report Seongju Hangae Maeul (Hangae Village, Seongju), and the books Songgwangsa (Songgwangsa Temple), Hanguk Geonchuksa (History of Korean Architecture, co-author) and Wonya, the Korean translation of a Chinese book on landscape architecture. Prof. Kim s research is focused on theorizing the spirit of the traditional architecture of Korea and other Asian countries form the perspective of cultural philosophy and thereby contributing to the future development of architecture.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

This book has been written by the faculty members who teach housing and interior design in several Korean universities to inform the world on the Korean traditional house and interiors. The main chapters are on the Korean traditional way of space planning and furniture arrangement. Also, the chapters focus on the fact that nature and socio-cultural background have been the major factors in forming the Korean traditional house plan and furniture design.

The chapters in this book mostly cover the style of the typical upper class houses in the Chosun dynasty. The upper class houses represent the best form of Korean traditional housing including the interior space planning and furniture, the colors and patterns, and the house style, since they had been built without any financial limitations.

The story of Traditional Korean House: Traditional Korean house presents a comprehensive view of Traditional Korean homes, dealing with topics raging from the cultural and philosophical framework from which architectural design and layout derived to the uniquely Korean aesthetic sensibilities which imbued life, color, and patterns into the furnishings and accessories. By incorporating the philosophies and lifestyles of the past, the interior spaces of traditional Korean House conveyed a sense of ease and comfort girded with strength of character. An understated charm imbued the near-empty appearance and beauty sprang from harmonizing into the whole the natural or nature-inspired shapes and colors and textures of unadorned spaces.

Thus, the Korean traditional house, that is derived from Korean philosophy of life, exhibits unique and apparently paradoxical characteristics that seem very "full", yet "empty" at the same time, and seem "weak" on the outside space shows a dynamic energy and balances, which is very unique, and which can not be found in any other country. This unique traditional house that has been formed through a long period of time possesses practicality and artistic beauty, and we hope that those who visit Korea can see the merits of the Korean traditional house. This book will guide those who search for Korean tradition, practicality, and beauty of the traditional houses that were formed in its long history.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hollym International Corp.
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1565912268
• ISBN 13: 9781565912267
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 152