‘Jongmyo Jeongjeon’ Tile Replacement by Master Tile Makers Kim Chang-dae and Lee Geun-bok
“Stayed awake for 36 hours to keep the kiln fire going… Expect an antique tile color”
Even skilled artisans found the process demanding…”Inspection needed for major cultural heritage tiles”
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yena = “From kneading the clay to fully drying the tiles, it takes at least 36 days. We repeated this process regardless of the heat or cold.”
Kim Chang-dae (53), a holder of the Master Tile Maker title for intangible cultural heritage, has rarely rested over the past few years.
This was due to Jongmyo Jeongjeon, a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Treasure. About 70,000 handmade tiles for the 101-meter-long roof, the longest in traditional Korean architecture, depended on his hands.
It was a large-scale construction project to replace factory-made tiles with handmade ones.
Even for him, who has dedicated 27 years to making tiles, it was quite a burden.
For the tiles to adorn this solemn and majestic space, he traveled nationwide searching for suitable clay and made tile after tile.
In a recent interview with Yonhap News, Kim expressed his relief: “I’m glad we all worked together to create proper handmade tiles and place them on Jongmyo Jeongjeon.”
A Master Tile Maker specializes in crafting tiles.
Tiles protect a building from water and corrosion and contribute to its decoration. In the past, each region crafted distinct tiles, but demand has decreased, leaving only a few places like Jangheung producing them.
Kim, who learned tile-making skills from the late Master Tile Maker Han Hyung-jun (1929-2013), participated in the restoration of Sungnyemun and the repair of Buyongjeong Pavilion at Changdeokgung Palace.
Kim candidly admitted, “There was a sense of heaviness associated with Jongmyo Jeongjeon, and we wondered if we were truly capable of this work.”
Making tiles for cultural heritage restoration and repair is particularly challenging.
It involves mixing various clays, such as black, red, and yellow, to create a uniform clay and crafting the male and female tiles through potentially over 30 steps.
“We heat the kiln’s interior to 1,000 to 1,100 degrees Celsius, staying awake for nearly 36 hours,” Kim said, estimating they fired it more than 200 times.
“Although we have experienced and skilled workers, having 10 certified national heritage repair specialists coordinate flawlessly wasn’t easy,” he recalled.
“Because it was Jongmyo Jeongjeon, despite the hot and cold weather, we couldn’t compromise the tiles destined for such a valuable symbol of our traditional culture.”
The person awaiting the completed tiles was Lee Geun-bok (75), a master of connecting tiles on roofs.
Lee has managed major heritage tile works like those at Sungnyemun, Gyeongbokgung, and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.
He reflected, “We approached the work with utmost care, especially at Jongmyo Jeongjeon, which houses the tablets of Joseon kings and queens.”
“I repeatedly stressed to all workers the importance of careful behavior to maintain concentration and dedication throughout the project.”
Even for someone working with tiles for nearly half a century, the replacement process was challenging.
“The factory-made tiles we removed were in worse condition than expected, with gaps and uneven heights,” Lee noted.
Using the distinctive characteristics of handmade tiles required special attention.
According to the National Heritage Administration, handmade tiles are lighter and have a more natural color than factory-made tiles, though they are less durable.
Lee explained, “Handmade tiles absorb more moisture than regular tiles, so we laid dry soil to prevent slipping, taking over 30% more time than usual.”
Both artisans hope that the significance and value of Jongmyo Jeongjeon remain remembered.
Kim stated, “It is the result of collective effort. Individually crafting each tile with care holds greater meaning when they fit together like a puzzle on the roof.”
He added, “Handmade tiles will develop a more antique appearance over time, so it’s worth waiting to see their matured beauty.”
Lee emphasized the need to regularly inspect the tile condition of primary cultural heritage sites.
“Experts should periodically examine the tiles on major cultural treasures and national treasures, not just Jongmyo Jeongjeon,” he suggested.
yes@yna.co.kr