National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea It is not known exactly when Koreans began covering their houses with tiles, but archaeological excavations suggest that tiles had become an important roofing material by the Three Kingdoms Period (1st century BCE ~ 7th century CE). This suggests that tile makers and roofers with highly advanced skills were in business at the time. According to historical records, there were even wabaksa (literally meaning “tile experts”), some of whom went over to Japan and taught their skills to the Japanese. The government of the Joseon Dynasty set up Waseo (Bureau of Roof Tiles) in 1392, the first year of the reign of its founding monarch, King Taejo, to oversee roof tile production. In 1406, the sixth year of the reign of King Taejong, it was renamed Byeorwayo (Special Kiln for Roof Tiles) to concentrate more on distribution. Aside from tile-making technicians, Buddhist monks were assigned to the office to produce and distribute tiles in massive quantities. Two types of artisans participated in making tile-covered roofs: the roof tile makers called wagong or wajang but were sometimes called wabyeokjang as well because they produced bricks as well as roof tiles, and; the roofing technicians, called gaejang, literally meaning the “covering artisan.” In Korean, beonwa meant both “roof tile production” and “roofing with tiles”; in Chinese characters, however, the word is written differently: “燔瓦” for the former and “瓦” for the latter. Roofs constitute an important aesthetic element of traditional Korean architecture. The gently curved roof lines accentuating the beauty of traditional Korean-style wooden buildings require the sharp eyes and deft hands of skilled roofers. The traditional tile roofing technique has been designated as an important intangible cultural heritage so that the ingenious skills of roofers can be preserved and transmitted to future generations.

National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Jewajang refers to the skill of making roof tiles, or to an artisan with such a skill. Roof tiles were used to make the buildings look better, in addition to their inherent function. In olden days, they symbolized the authority and wealth of the building’s owner. Roof tiles are divided into convex and concave types. Ancillary ornamental tiles include convex roof-end tile, concave roof-end tile, roof tile with demon face design, dragon finial, and tiles placed at both ends of the top ridge. Looking at how roof tiles are made, sticky clay mixed water is put into a wooden mold. After a period of drying, the clay is cut to an appropriate size and pattern and then put into a kiln, which is heated to a temperature higher than 1000℃. Adequately baked roof tiles are black or silver gray in color. Each region developed its own unique roof tiles, but concrete or slate-roofed buildings have lately pushed aside buildings with roof tiles. At present, roof tiles are produced only in Ulsan and Jangheung, Jeollanam-do.