Gangjin Celadon Ware Museum

1. Objectives and Background

Gangjin, Jeonnam was a Celadon production site from the late Unified Shilla period to the early Goryo period. Gangjin can be called "the treasure-house of celadon ware", because of its 500-year history. In 1939, during the Japanese Colonial Period, it was designated Relic No. 107. After Independence, in 1964, it was designated Historic Spot No. 68. From 1991 to 1992, the Haegangdo Museum completed an overall survey of the Goryo Celadon Porcelain Kiln, and analyzed all 188 central Celadon sites. Despite the historic and cultural significance, there was no facility for the preserving and exhibition of celadon in Korea. To maintain and conserve our important relics, Gangjin County was supported by the Culture Bureau of Property Custody with 6.5 billion won. With this budget, the construction of this museum was begun in December 1991, and opened as the "Gangjin Celadon Data Museum" in September 1997 in time for
"the 2nd Gangjin Celadon Culture Festival".

The purpose of this museum is the collection, preservation, exhibition and study of Celadon at an original Celadon production site. Outside of the museum, we teach the history of celadon pottery to the public and we provide a wealth of data to scholars.

2. Function

 This is a unique art museum. With the sole art from of Celadon porcelain, we not only provide the history of celadon and its transformation to the general public, but also promote Celadon research by providing specialized data to researchers.
This place is a historic site where the Celadon were produced, so we can offer a museum built around an actual Celadon kiln site. Also a workshop that reproduces Goryo celadon porcelain makes the visitor directly experience the past and the present of Korean celadon. This museum has come to be the center piece of tourism in Gangjin. These large kiln sites are the only ones in Korea.

From 1991 to 1992, the Celadon Data Museum concentrated on collecting items and data related to Celadon in order to preserve and to develop the study and appreciation of this remarkable cultural asset. Thus, about 30,000 pieces of Celadon from the Koryo period were collected, and categorized. This museum is in the process of trying to create relics card for 1000 items. In addition, in order to display the excellent remains for the Museum's opening ceremony, 12 complete Celadon and 100 pieces manufactured in Gangjin, were on loan from the National Center Museum, the Haegang Ceramic Museum, and from private possessions. At present, are on display. 300 Celadon porcelains carefully selected from the museum collection.

1) Donation of Pieces
Owing to the interest in a specialized Celadon museum, 72 celadon items have been donated up to now. The museum is planning to open a "Special Exhibition for Donations and Loans to the Gangjin Celadon Data Museum" during the "4th Celadon Culture Festival" in order to encourage research.

2) Facility
¡Û Space
      - Area : 2,108m3 (636 Pyeong), 1 floor under ground,                    2 floors above ground.
      -Structure : Steel frame concrete

¡Û Exhibition Room
      -Display room : 104m3 (31 Pyeong)
      -Relics display room : 620m3 (204 Pyeong)

¡Û Incidental facilities
      -Laboratory, storage, library, photo cleaning room, machinery room, etc
      -2 sites of Koryo celadon kiln (Yongun-ri 10-4 ho, Sadang-ri 41 ho)

4. Museum Promotion and Business

1) Arrangement of collected and stored relics.
      -To arrange of relics, and create item lists and cards.

2) Excavation of production sites of Koryo celadon.
      -To manage hierarchically celadon ceramic spots (total 188 until 1992)
      -Yongun-ri (75), Gyeyul-ri (59), Sadangri (43), Sudongri (6), Samheungri (5)

3) Relics purchase
      -To secure relics, valuable relics are acquired by the museum.

4) Special exhibition and scientific presentations. For researchers and visitors a special     exhibition is held once a year. Special exhibitions for diverse types of celadon relics     are also held.
      -Lectures or scientific meetings take place, according to the special exhibition.

5) Purchase data and related books
      -To secure currently published books and these on the research of celadon and the         perseverance of relics.

5. Inspection and Guidance

Since its establishment in September 1997, many celebrities, including Jung Yangmo, the curator of the National Center Museum, Yongjin Kim, a congressman, and Kyungman Hu, a provincial governor, have visited the museum while many broadcasting stations have reported on it. In addition, more than 40,000 visitors have come to the museum.

¡Û Opening Times and Fees
       - From Mar. 1 to Oct. 3 1: 9:00-18:00
       - From Nov. 1 to late Feb. : 9:00-17:00
¡Û Ticket purchase is possible until 30 minutes before closing time.
¡Û Price