Traditional Pigment "Dongrok" Restored After 100 Years... First Applied to Dancheong at Chuncheon Cheongpyeongsa Rotating Gate

National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Restores Manufacturing Method and Registers Patent
From Technology Transfer to Private Sector... Full-Scale Industrialization of Pigment Production Begins

Applying Dongrok pigment to the traditional dancheong of the 'Chuncheon Cheongpyeongsa Rotating Gate'

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage announced on November 12 that it has been applying the scientifically restored traditional artificial pigment "Dongrok" to the dancheong (traditional decorative coloring) work of the Treasure "Chuncheon Cheongpyeongsa Rotating Gate" since last month. This marks the first time that Dongrok, produced using traditional methods, has been used at a national heritage restoration site.

Dongrok is a green pigment that was widely used during the Joseon Dynasty for palace and temple dancheong, murals, and Buddhist paintings. Because it resembles the color of lotus leaves, it is also called "Hayeop," meaning "lotus leaf."

The introduction of chemical pigments in the modern era led to the discontinuation of its manufacturing techniques. From 2019 to 2022, the institute conducted reproduction research based on historical literature and analysis of existing dancheong. As a result, it was confirmed that Dongrok is not made by finely grinding natural minerals, but is an artificial pigment obtained by processing the corrosion products of copper or bronze. The traditional manufacturing method was scientifically restored and registered as a state patent in June 2023.

In July last year, the institute signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with the traditional pigment manufacturer Gail Traditional Pigments and transferred the technology. Subsequently, a production test line was established, on-site technical consulting and quality analysis were conducted, and in March this year, a commercial Dongrok pigment product was launched. This product has been used in the Chuncheon Cheongpyeongsa Rotating Gate dancheong project since October.

Commercially Available Registered Pigments

The Chuncheon Cheongpyeongsa Rotating Gate is an important relic for the study of mid-Joseon Dynasty architecture. However, repeated restoration has caused much of the original dancheong patterns to disappear. Currently, the patterns are being restored based on glass plate photographs from the Japanese colonial period and traces of previous dancheong.

Joo Gwanggwan, the master dancheong artisan in charge of the project, stated, "Dongrok faithfully reproduces the traditional color and also excels in application and durability."

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage commented, "It took about seven years from restoration research to production and on-site application," adding, "It is significant in that it has revived traditional materials and techniques that had been lost and established a foundation for industrialization."

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