Carpenter-Monks as Crafters of Chosŏn Architecture: Bridging Sacred and Secular Spaces

This study offers a fresh perspective on Chosŏn Buddhism by analyzing the spatial storytelling strategies employed by artisan-monks in temple hall interior design. This aspect of Chosŏn Buddhist art history has been largely overlooked in existing scholarship. Through a detailed examination of sculpted woodwork, coupled with the analysis of written records, this study presents a novel understanding of the complex interplay of established and new architectural practices that shaped temple interior design. By focusing primarily on the carpenter-monks' artistic orthopraxy and their meticulous crafting of a multi-layered spatial experience, this research lays the foundation for future studies on Chosŏn period Buddhist architecture. This study is intended to engage readers across various disciplines, including Korean Buddhist art, religious studies, material studies, and East Asian architecture.