Korean Art History eBooks
/Internet Archive had 14 of the 15 volumes of the Chōsen koseki zufu – published beginning in 1915 in Japanese and full of illustrations of Korean antiquities. It was the result of the Japanese work to systemically organize and investigate cultural assets and sites throughout the Korean Peninsula after they annexed the country in 1910.
Most of what I know about Korea is in the context of the Korean War of the 1950s and, more recently, the products from South Korea that are exported to the U.S. These books enlarged my understanding of the deep history of the country via the pictures (although I probably would have gotten even more from the books if I could read Japanese!). I have selected a sample image from each volume…but there are many more in the books…well worth the time to browse.
Volume I. Sites of excavations, pottery, bronzes, inscription on stone, ancient metallic mirrors, etc. Chōsen koseki zufu V1
Volume II. Continuation of first volume, frescoes and other details of paintings from the tombs. Chōsen koseki zufu V2
Volume III. Photographs and plans of sites excavated details of sculpture, beads, smaller bronzes etc. Chōsen koseki zufu V3
Volume IV. Antiquities of the Silla period in Korea. Chōsen koseki zufu V4
Volume V. Continuation of Volume IV (not on Internet Archive)
Volume VI. Antiquities of Koryo period. Chōsen koseki zufu V6
Volume VII. Continuation of Volume VI. Chōsen koseki zufu V7
Volume VIII. Pottery. Chōsen koseki zufu V8
Volume IX. Metallic mirrors, bronzes, jewelry, household utensils. Chōsen koseki zufu V9
Volume X. Temple architecture, including some details of decoration. Chōsen koseki zufu V10
Volume XI. Continuation of preceding volume, sculpture. 1951. Chōsen koseki zufu V11
Volume XII. Temple architecture. Chōsen koseki zufu V12
Volume XIII. Temple architecture. 1933. Chōsen koseki zufu V13
Volume XIV. Painting. 1934. Chōsen koseki zufu V14
Volume XV. Pottery. 1935 Chōsen koseki zufu V15
