There Were Also Naegwan's Calligraphy on the Palace Signboards

Publication of the National Palace Museum Catalog 'Joseon Royal Plaques I'
Detailed Investigation of Palace Plaques by Region, Tracing Original Buildings
"Plaques as Records Integrating Architecture, Calligraphy, and Crafts, and as Comprehensive Artworks"

A nameplate engraved with the contents of the major repair of Daeunwon

Changdeokgung Palace had various signboards. The work guidelines for officials and the calligraphy of ancestors were engraved on wooden boards and hung on buildings such as halls (堂), gates (門), and pavilions (樓). The signboard of Daeunwon (戴恩院) was one of them. It was old and the rafters collapsed due to wind and rain, so it was repaired in 1725 (the first year of King Yeongjo's reign). The repair was overseen by O Duheung, a Jinyesibu officer (a third-rank official in the eunuch department). The production of the signboard was also entrusted to the eunuchs. Jo Hankyung wrote the preface and Lee Injae wrote the calligraphy. Daeunwon was located southeast of Seonjeon Hall. It was just south of Naebanwon, where the eunuchs stayed. The National Palace Museum stated, "The order to repair Daeunwon, the text written about it, and the people who wrote the calligraphy were all eunuchs," and added, "It is presumed to be a pavilion closely related to the eunuch department."

Gyujanggak Signboard

The National Palace Museum published a catalog titled Signboards of the Joseon Royal Palace I on the 4th, containing this analysis. It is a report investigating the signboards that hung in Joseon palaces. The museum categorized 184 signboards from Gyeongbokgung Palace, 91 from Changdeokgung Palace, 44 from Changgyeonggung Palace, 41 from Gyeonghuigung Palace, 25 from Deoksugung Palace, and 13 reference plates by region. The catalog also includes information tracing the original buildings where the signboards were hung. The museum explained, "Many pavilions were demolished during the Japanese colonial period, making it difficult to identify the original locations of the signboards," but added, "We traced them by comparing handwritten notes on the back indicating the original location, maps and paintings such as the 'Gyeongbokgung Layout Map,' 'Bukgweoldo-hyeong,' 'Donggweol-do,' and 'Seogweol-doan,' as well as glass plates and photographs." They noted, "While the signboards in the collection have been introduced fragmentarily before, this is the first time they have been classified by the five major palaces and published as a collection catalog."

The investigation newly confirmed four major points, including the production background of the Daeunwon signboard at Changdeokgung Palace. The museum stated, "Based on a 1958 photograph in the book Korean Palaces published by the Cultural Heritage Administration in 1980, we identified the original locations of signboards such as Yongmunru and Yungmuru in the Geunjeongjeon area of Gyeongbokgung Palace." They added, "We also confirmed that gold leaf was applied during the production of the signboards or that letters were separately made from wood and attached, and verified the original appearance of the Inhwamun signboard, which was the main gate of Deoksugung Palace."

Catalogue of National Palace Museum Collections 『Royal Plaques of the Joseon Dynasty I』

The signboards were mainly carved by artisans using calligraphy from kings such as Seonjo, Sukjong, Yeongjo, Jeongjo, and Gojong, or the era’s top calligraphers. About 120 signboards contain writings or calligraphy by kings or crown princes. Yeongjo left the most royal compositions (御製) and calligraphy (御筆). Artisans delicately decorated the edges of the signboards with phoenixes, seven treasures patterns, floral motifs, and more to enhance their dignity. They also protected the signboards by covering them with a fabric called sarong (紗籠) or by attaching hinged doors. The museum defined them as "records combining architecture, calligraphy, and crafts, and as comprehensive art." The catalog can be accessed not only at national and public libraries and museums but also on the websites of the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Palace Museum. The museum announced, "We plan to publish Signboards of the Joseon Royal Palace II in December, which will include research results on signboards from Jongmyo Shrine, royal tombs, ancestral shrines, and Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.