Recently, the spectrum of studies on Koryo Celadon is broadened, steering away from theexisting trends to study the origination of Koryo Celadon, issues related to the period when Gan Ji Myong Celadon (Celadon with inscribed Chinese zodiac names), and Celadon as historical artifacts, to include the studies from the views that are focused onthe production and consumption structures. In the midst of such trend, the sample ceramic pieces excavated from sites where Buddhist Monks, the main consumer of high quality Celadon, used to reside, are serving as the standards of comparison analysis for demands and supply structures by different periods.
Until now, places like the lost temple of Bohnchonniin Sachon, Jigok Temple of Sanchong, Wunneung Temple of Ulsan, Youngam Temple of Hapchon, Doksanni Temple of Gimhae, Mandok Temple of Busan, and Yongdangdong relic of Busan in South Gyongsang area are determined as the places where the Celadon were widely used during Koryo Dynasty. The Celadon pieces excavate from these relics are very diverse in its produces times, qualities and styles. Therefore, we could specifically determine the characteristics of Celadon used in South Gyongsnag area.
This study was intended to determine the place of production and the production period of Celadon excavated from the 7 relics aroundSouth Gyongsang area by analyzing and comparing the types, decorating techniques, pottering methods of these Celadon against that of Celadon from other important places and chronological sample relics. The results are as followed.
First, the vast majority of Celadon excavated in South Gyonsang region is confirmed to come from Gangjin. It is also clearly determined that the small portions were produced South Gyongsang region such as Taepyondong of Jinhae and Eeori of Namhae.
Second, the Celadon excavated in relics of South Gyongsang region can be recorded chronologically in 4 phases according to the course of development. Phase 1 is the period from mid 10th century to mid 11th century, and the Celadon in this phase are very similar to the styles of what are previously known as Gangjin Celadon I and II. Phase 2 is theperiod from mid 11th century to late 12thcentury and the Celadon in this phase fall into the categories of Gangjin Celadon III and IV.Phase 3 are the period from early 13th century to late 14th century and the Celadon in this phase fall into the category of Gangjin Celadon V. Phase 4 is the period from early 14thcentury to late 14th century, which is the last periods of Koryo Dynasty, and the Celadon in this phase fall into the category of Gangjin Celadon VI.
Third, some of the Celadon excavated in relics of South Gyongsang region is determined to be products of sites such as Taepyondong of Jinhae and Eeori of Namhae, and shows the characteristics similar to that of late 11th century to 12th century. Therefore, we could confirm in detail that the Celadon produced from South Gyongsang region were also consumed along with Gangjin Celadon.
Fourth, the Celadon excavated in relics of South Gyongsang region proved, with a through analysis, the vague presumption which has been saying that the high quality Celadon maybe are from Gangjin site. And, this made available updated chronological orders for different styles. We also determined the production sites and chronological orders by comparing theCeladon from Taepyongdong site of Jinhae and the Celadon from South Gyongsang regions against each other.