Rethinking of Joseon’s transition to modern times in the late Joseon Dynasty: focusing on Chinese-style architecture manifested in the Joseon Dynasty in the 19th century

Abstract

This study aims to find Chinese-style buildings and architectural factors manifested in those buildings by paying attention to Chinese-style buildings centered on buildings used in the palaces and royal family houses in Joseon Korea during the 19th century. Although the influences of Qing on the late Joseon Dynasty have been researched in history studies, anthropology, and literature, research in architecture is greatly lacking. However, in the late Joseon Dynasty, changes in the recognition of the culture of Qing China resulted in demonstrable influences of the architecture of the Qing on the features of some buildings, such as the use of Chinese-style bricks, Gyeongsan Jibung, Gwonbung Jibung, Jeonchug Bagpung, Wonchang, Siheyuan, and Yeongjocheok. Those Chinese-style elements, however, appeared only in particular Joseon buildings, such as the palaces and houses of aristocratic class who maintained contacts with the Qing. This research was performed through field research of Korean and Chinese buildings related to the diverse literature review and primary historical materials. The absorption of foreign styles, especially the Chinese style, in architecture in the late Joseon Dynasty is presumed to have alleviated the cultural shock that occurred in the process of accommodating western architecture after the country was opened.

Keywords

• the late joseon dynasty
• chinese-style architecture
• architectural elements of qing style
• joseon’s transition to modern time
• in the 19th century