The architectural character of the Japanese period is that of Korea; most of the Chinese

influences reached Japan from Korea.

Korean Architecture from the Three Kingdom Periods of the end of Choson Period

An outline of the Korean architecture is essential to an understanding of the development of

Japanese architecture. It is the link between the classical traditions of Chinese building form and
the unique transformations thereof in Japan.

The Three Kingdom Periods

(57 BC-668)

No wooden structures survive from the period Korea was divided into three Kingdoms
(Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla), only a few stone buildings, including two pagodas of Paekche
and one of Shilla construction.

Timber Buildings

Buildings during the Koguryo Kingdom (57BC-668)

Murals depicted from the walls in the Samshilchong, Yodongsongchong and Yaksuri
tombs and in houses in the Ssang-yonchong, Anak No. 1 and Tonggu No. 12 tombs.

Painted Pillars and beams in burial chambers of Muyongchong, Kwigapchong and

Anak No. 1 tombs

Koguryo structures often had a round pillars with entasis supporting simply executed
brackets. Short struts with bearing blocks and inverted V-shaped trusses were fitted on beams
and purlins to sustain the framework of gabled or hipped roof.

Koguryo was influenced by Han(25-219) and the Northern Wei(386-534) dynasties of

China.

Paekche Kingdom (18BC-660)

Architecture influenced by South-western part of the peninsula.

Shilla Kingdom (57BC-935)

Excavation of Hwangnyongsa Temple in Kyongju, the capital of Shilla, suggest

Koguryos influence.
Stone Buildings

Paekche Kingdom

2 pagodas
One at Iksan, Chollanam-do province on the site of Miruska, a temple believed to
date from the reign of King Mu-wang (600-641)
Another five storey structure on the site of Chongnimsa Temple in Puyo,
Chungchongnam-do province.

Miruksa pagoda, the earliest known example in stone (believed to had six or nine storey)
through only parts of six remains.

Future Paekche pagodas with ideal combination of two-tiered foundation and an elegant
five storey main body.

2 stone buildings in Kyongju

Chomsongdae Observatory cylindrical monument, slightly convex in outline,
rises in meticulous courses and has square window at high level.

Punhwangsa Temple made of stones cut to the size and shape of brick and resembles a
brick pagoda. Stone beast are stationed at the four corners of its foundation and stone image of
Vajradhara, guardian deities of the temple, at either side of the niches of the body of the pagoda.

Unified Shilla Period (668-935)

Timber Buildings

(according to Samguk sagi History of the three kingdoms written in the 12th century)

It can be deduced that houses for the upper class had tiled roofs, the eaves of which were
dressed with end tiles and that each end of the ridge had an ornamental tile shaped like a birds
tail, while the ends of the hip-ridges were finished with grotesque masks. The gables were
decorated with hanging ornaments resembling fish, the eaves were double tiered and supported
by brackets on top of the pillars, and the wooden part of the structure was colored and covered
richly with gold and silver ornament.

Stone Buildings

Sokkatap at Pulguksa temple in Kyongju which is supported on a square pedestal with pillars
carved upon it. Each storey and each roof is carved from a single stone.

Tabotap Pagoda in Pulguksa - a variation of the three storey prototype.

Stupas to house the sarira(the remains of very holy persons) and relics of high ranking monks.

Most shilla stupas are octagonal in shape, the oldest being that built for the high priest,
Yomgohwasang, in about 844. Decorated with reliefs of lions, asparas (heavenly beings) and
four Buddhist guardian kings. Roof stone is carved to simulate a tiled roof.

Ssangbongsa Temple of Hwasun, Chollanam-do found the decorative stupa of Zen Master
Cholgam around 868.

The Koryo Period (918-1392)

Timber Buildings

Wooden buildings preserved from the Koryo period include the Kungnakchon (Nirvana
Hall) of Pongjongsa Temple in Andong, and the Muryangsojun (Amita Hall) of Pusoksa Temple
in Yongju (719 C)

In the 14th Century a style introduced to northern china under the Yuan (Mongol) dynasty
also found its way to Korea. This style, with clusters of brackets on the column-heads and the
horizontal beams between them, was much heavier than that previously introduced in China.
Multi bracketing system soon widely adopted.

Stone Buildings

Wolchongsa temple in Pyongchang, Kang-won-do octagonal nine storey pagoda from the
Chinese influence of Song and Liao Dynasty

With the flourishing of Buddhism during the Koryo period, a great number of elaborate stupas
were built. The predominant type was octagonal, but bell-shaped stupas began to appear towards
the end of the period, with rich embellishments on the body and reduced roof stone size

Pulguksa Temple Stupa lamp shaped stupa of Royal Preceptor Hongbop. The body is topped
with a roof stone shaped like a lotus and the latter is covered with elaborate carvings.

The Choson Period (1392-1910)

Timber period

The Sakyamuni Halls (taeungjon) of Pongjongsa Temple in Andong Kwallyongsa temple in

Changnyong and Kaeshimsa Temple in Sosan are of the early choson style buildings with multi
cluster bracketing

Namdaemun (South Gate) the ancient entrance to the city of Seoul, have two storey structure of
similar size built in the multi cluster bracketed style.
Four ancient palaces in Seoul:
Kyongbokkung
Changgyonggung
Changdokkung
Toksugung

Myongjongjon the main audience hall of Changgyonggung and the gate infront of it are the
oldest extent palace structures.

Stone Buildings

Due to suppression of Buddhism in favor of Confucianism in this period, the number of stupas
and pagodas declined. Most artisans generally developed pagodas in the ancient tradition.

Sujongsa Temple in Yangju Kyonggi-do Pagoda have a variation from traditional style with
octagonal shape and five storey high pagoda

Bell-shaped stupa continued.

Hoeamsa Temple pagoda near Seoul has a stone railing in its base , lotus, arabesque and floral
pattern ornately sculptured in its pedestal, and a dragon and cloud pattern on its bell shaped main
body.

Underground ice stores were most frequently built stone structures of the period. Rectangular
stones were used to form a number of arches, between which weight supporting stones were
fitted to uphold the frame of the cylindrical storage chamber. Ice cut from the rivers in winter
was stored for use through the summer.