Interview
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Jeon Heung-su is the first one that comes to mind whenever there is a need to repair the country’s important traditional buildings, such as Namdaemun in Seoul, Muryangsujeon in Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, Daeungjeon (main hall) in Sudeoksa Temple, and others. The highest living authority in the country’s traditional wood frame buildings, he is designated as Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 74. He built the Korea Traditional Architecture Museum, the first of its kind in the country, financing it with his own money in Yesan, his native region.
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When young, he accompanied his father, who was also a carpenter, doing errands or simple jobs where he learned carpentry work first hand. When he was twelve, his father left him in the care of a Buddhist temple due to dire poverty. Four years later, he left the temple and travelled to Seoul to start a new life on his own. In Seoul, he experienced various hardships. When he was 18, he decided to return to his parents and start a new career as a carpenter. He learned the basic carpentry skills from his father and then his father took him to Kim Jung-hui, a friend, reputed to be the best carpenter in Chungcheong Province. Here his son learned about the country’s traditional wood frame architecture from the master.
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As he put it, “At that time, skilled carpenters were not willing to train young ones, thinking that they could grow as their potential competitors. I made painstaking efforts, trying to learn whatever I could, working from 5:00 am until 9:00 pm. I think that I was able to succeed through my determination.”
His determination combined with his natural talent as a carpenter. In ten years of hard work, he became a figure to be reckoned within the country’s traditional wood frame architecture. Whenever there was a need to repair wood frame cultural heritage structures and temples or to build a new one, they came to him for consultation and contractual work. He has been involved in the work of more than 100 important wood frame buildings, a record of a master.
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He said, “Mr. Kim Jung-hui was a master who helped me establish my own relevant skills. And the Daeungjeon (main hall) of Sudeoksa Temple in my native village enabled me to open my eyes to the country’s traditional wood frame architecture. The building has a natural and graceful appearance, being simple, unaffected and not boring.”
- It takes much more time, effort and expense to build the country’s traditional wood frame buildings than ordinary ones. He says that he has worked in his specialty area with a special sense of pride, although it was a rough road. He adds that a well-built traditional building has a strong and scientifically-based structure, in addition to its esthetic quality.
- It is expected that the Korea Traditional Architecture Museum he founded will go far in displaying the excellence of the country’s architectural culture and its historical value to the public, and as an arena for teaching relevant theories and practical skills to would-be carpenters.
- At the age of 71, he still leads a team of carpenters at the jobsite for renovating important old buildings and building new ones. One feels the deep love of his work from the master craftsman when he says that he will not put aside his hammer and chisel until he is too old to work.
- Curriculum vitae [ Jeon Heung-su ]
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- Director, the Korea Traditional Architecture Museum
- Designated by the Government as Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 74 as master carpenter
- Participating in the work for restoration of Sungryemun (or Namdaemun).
- Participating in the work for restoration of Royal Villa at Namhansanseong Fortress.
