Exhibition 'Korean Chimi' Held at Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in the U.S.

Mireuksaji Chimi

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The special exhibition "Korean Chimi Once Upon a Roof: Vanished Korean Architecture," jointly planned by the National Museum of Korea and the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in the United States, opened on the 21st at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington D.C.

Chimi (?尾) refers to the large roof tiles that decorated both ends of the ridge of important buildings such as royal palaces and temples. As a type of special decorative tile, it served a practical function by firmly securing both ends of the roof ridge, while also beautifying the building, adding dignity, and serving as symbols of good fortune (吉祥) and warding off evil spirits (?邪).

This exhibition features chimis excavated from the site of Mireuksa, a great royal temple of Baekje, chimis from the temple site at Busosanseong of Baekje, and chimis from Wolji of the Unified Silla period, introduced alongside the beautiful sumaksae tiles found at each archaeological site. These artifacts allow us to appreciate the beauty, excellent construction techniques, and scale of ancient Korean architectural traditions that are no longer extant. In addition to the artifacts, the exhibition provides fascinating and rich explanatory materials and video content to help visitors understand, including models of Baekje buildings, the origins and manufacturing methods of chimi, the history of Mireuksa, and recent archaeological discoveries.

The exhibition will continue until October 30.

On July 26, as part of this special exhibition, an online academic conference titled "Ancient Korean Architecture in Context" will be held. Researchers from the National Museum of Korea and scholars from the United States will participate, discussing topics related to ancient Korean architecture and roof tiles from the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla periods. Following this, in September, an online public lecture is planned, hosted by Yoon Sangdeok, head of exhibitions at the National Museum of Korea, which will introduce the sites and excavated artifacts of Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji, and the Wolji Hall of the Gyeongju National Museum, allowing real-time Q&A with the audience.