Geobukseon shaped a turtle is the first ironclad warship in the world. Admiral Yi Sun-Sin(1545~1598) made this ship and drove many Japanese warships away with Geobukseon.



Name : Geobukseon - Turtle ship
Builders : Yi Sun-sin, Lt. Na Dae Yong
Operators : Joseon Dynasty
Built : circa 1590
Class and type : Panokseon type
Length : 30-37 m
Propulsion : 80 oarsmen
Complement : 50 soldiers
Armament : sulfur gas thrower, iron spikes, 26 cannons

The Turtle ship, also known as Geobukseon or Kobukson, was a type of large warship belonging to the Panokseon class in Korea that was used intermittently by the Royal Korean Navy during the Joseon Dynasty from the early 15th century up until the 19th century.

The first references to older, first generation turtle ships, known as Gwiseon , come from 1413 and 1415 records in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, which mention a mock battle between a gwiseon and a Japanese warship. However, these early turtle ships soon fell out of use as Korea’s naval preparedness decreased during a long period of relative peace.

Turtle ships participated in numerous victories against Japanese naval forces that supported Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attempts to conquer Korea from 1592-1598, inflicting heavy losses. However, their historical role may have been exaggerated since "the entire Korean fleet probably did not have more than half a dozen turtleboats in action at any one time".



16th century Korean turtle ship in a depiction dating to 1795. The woodblock print is based on a contemporary, late 18th century model



Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin is credited with designing the ship. His turtle ships were equipped with at least five different types of cannon. Their most distinguishable feature was a dragon-shaped head at the bow (front) that could launch cannon fire or flames from the mouth. Each was also equipped with a fully covered deck that was shielded to deflect cannon fire, and with iron spikes to discourage enemy men from attempting to board the ship.


Many different versions of the turtle ships served during the war, but in general they were about 100 to 120 feet long (30 to 37 metres long), and strongly resembled the Panokseon's bottom structure. The turtle ship was technically a hull that was placed on top of a Panokseon, with a large anchor held in the front of the ship, and other minor modifications.

In the front of the ship was a large anchor. Below the anchor was a wooden crest that was shaped like a face, and these were used to ram into enemy ships.

Unjusa Temple, lying buddhas


buddha in stone house. pagodas crisscrossing the valley

Unjusa Temple is unlike other temples in that it has unusual Buddha statues and pagodas – it is often referred to as a mysterious temple. The founder of Unjusa Temple is not known but it is speculated that it was built during the Silla Period(BC 57~935).
Unjusa does not have a Geumgangmun or Cheonwangmun, which are very often seen in Buddhist temples. The first thing you see when you enter Unjusa is the 9-story stone pagoda (National Treasure no. 796). The tower, again, does not have intricate designs, and is very simple. If you walk a bit from the 9-story pagoda, you come across a forked road. Go left, and you will see Chilseong Rock. Because it resembles the 7 stars of the Big Dipper, some people argue that the rock is imitating the constellation.

Follow the same road further and you will see two Buddha statueS, called Wabul, where Buddha is reposed on the side, lying down. These statues are, among the ones in Unjusa Temple, the most intricate in design and execution. Go up a bit further, and you will see the Siwibul Statue standing. Pass Siwibul Statue through the thick groves, you will come to 7-story stone pagodas and 5-story stone pagodas. What makes the stone pagodas of Unjusa Temple interesting to examine is that they each have some unique designs.

officail homepage

Tour to Korea, more photo

Woonchang Cho, a master in the Korean traditional art of 'Nakjuk'. Woonchang Cho is standing in front of the bamboos, which are boiled and dried in preparation of the 'nakjuk'. The floral and leaf pattern is seared with an iron on a 'nakjuk' quiver. There is nothing else he needs, as he draws with fire.
Nakjuk is considered one of the most complicated technique amongst the applied fine art of 'juk'.Woonchang Cho(65) has drawn with fire using one curved iron for 30 years.

'Nakjuk' is a traditional technique which uses an iron, heated on pine charcoal fire, to inscribe a pattern, a drawing, or a writing on the surface of a bamboo that has been boiled and dried. In Korea, the 'Nakjuk' technique was transmited by Chang-gyu Park from the time of Soonjo in Chosun Dynasty until the Japanese occupation.
In 1969, it was registered as the 31st issue of important cultural properties.