An Enormous Dragon-headed Roof Tile of Joseon Dynasty Found at West Coast of Korea

The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage (Director Kim Yeonsoo)

of the Cultural Heritage Administration discovered roof tiles, ["Chuidu (鷲頭)" and "Japsang (雜像)"], which were used in decorating the royal buildings of the early Joseon Dynasty (14th-16th century) on the mudflats of Cheongpodae Beach in Taean (Woncheong-ri, Nam-myeon). Taean is located on the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Newly discovered ornamental roof tiles* are dragon-headed Chuidu and Japsang with the shape of a man in armor (the figure of a commander). This is the first time that intact Chuidu of the early Joseon Dynasty has been excavated.

* Ornamental roof tiles : roof tiles placed on the ridge which are used to show the authority and dignity of the building

During the Joseon period, Chuidu and Japsang were used only on the roofs of prestigious structures such as palaces. Chuidu is a dragon-headed ornamental tile placed on both ends of the highest ridge. It was usually made of two to three parts – top part and bottom part. Then, each part was fixed and connected with iron nails to be placed on the roof. Japsang is a tile that decorates the hips of a roof and has various types of shapes. A commander-shaped ornamental tile is placed in front of all the other Japsangs.

Four pieces of relics were excavated: ▲ One piece of lower part of Chuidu reported by a local resident while clam digging (Sep. 2019) ▲ One piece of commander-shaped sculpture recovered from the site of the report (Oct. 2019) ▲ One restored Chuidu (two pieces) excavated during the survey (Jun. 2021).

The commander in the sculpture (30cm in height, 22cm in maximum width) is sitting on the pedestal, wearing armor and gently resting his hands on his knees. The shape of the commander is vibrant and the scales of the armor are expressed delicately. The shape and the techniques used were the same as those of the commander-shaped ornament of the early Joseon period, which was excavated at “Gyeongbokgung Palace (景福宮)” and “Yangju Hoeamsa Temple Site (揚州檜巖寺址)”

Chuidu (103cm in height, 83cm in maximum width) is in shape of head of a big dragon staring fiercely with its mouth wide open. A small dragon is on its head and spiral patterns are engraved on it. Its face is three-dimensional and realistic with dignity. In addition, the vibrancy is delivered from the motion of the dragon and the scales, mane, and wrinkles of the dragon is expressed sophisticatedly. Chuidu has the same shape and pattern with the one used in Sungryemun Gate*, which was destroyed by fire in 2008.

* Sungryemun Gate (崇禮門) :

  •the 7th year of King “Taejo(太祖’)’s” reign(1398): completed

  •the 29th year of King “Sejong(世宗)’s” reign(1447): reconstructed

  •the 10th year of King “Seongjong(成宗)’s” reign(1479): massively renovated

The tiles were made at Waseo in Seoul and they were transported to the other areas where the royal buildings were. A ship carrying the tiles to three provinces, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, and Gyeongsang-do, is believed to have sunk in waters of Taean. According to 『Gyeonggukdaejeon National Code*』, Waseo* consisted of 40 Wajang (tile master craftsman) and four Japsangjang (Japsang master craftsman).

* Gyeonggukdaejeon National Code (經國大典) : the compendium of basic statutes of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) which were completed in 1485 (the 16th year of King Seongjong’s reign) providing the basic platform of state administration throughout the Joseon Dynasty

* Waseo (瓦署) : the government office responsible for the manufacturing and supply of roof tiles and bricks for the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty

Chuidu and Japsang, the newly discovered artifacts from the mudflats of Cheongpodae Beach will be unveiled to the public at the Taean Maritime Museum (8.31~9.5). The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage(NRIMCH) is the only institute in charge of excavation, preservation, and exhibition of maritime cultural heritage of Korea. NRIMCH will continue the investigation by expanding the area around the site where Chuidu was found. It is expected to obtain abundant information on the ornamental roof tiles of the early Joseon Dynasty with continuous efforts, which had been remained blank until now. Furthermore, survey on the background of the artifacts found in Taean will be conducted as well as the study of the area where the artifacts should have been used.

Division: The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage

West Cultural Heritage Division

Contact person: Kim DongHoon (041­-419-7020) /Yang KiHong(041-419-7042)