[Definition]

A carpenter specialized in building large-scale wood structures, as opposed to a joiner or cabinetmaker

[Summary]

A daemokjang's work was essentially the same as a modern-day architect's. His job was preparing woods and constructing large-size buildings such as palaces and Buddhist temples. Also referred to as 'dopyeonsu,' the term 'daemokjang' is used as opposed to 'somokjang' whose work is close to that of a joiner or a cabinetmaker. Somokjang, however, made smaller wooden structures such as doors as well.

Chief carpenters at the Seongongam, a Joseon-period government office in charge of civil engineering and ship-building, were known as 'Daemok' and enjoyed a class-five rank within the government hierarchy. These people were not only experts with a thorough knowledge of architecture and construction, but also led artisan guilds of various types, including wajang (roof-tile makers), deujabi (porters), masons, plasterers and painters, to carry out large construction projects.

[Description]

As Korea's architecture has traditionally been wooden, even today, daemokjang play an important role in restoration projects at ancient palaces and temples as well as in construction and renovation projects for residential homes. A daemok comprehensively oversaw the process of constructing a house. Carpentry was often a family trade, as construction techniques were frequently passed down to the following generations. An excellent example is the family of Jang Hyo-sun (1939- ), a Seongnam-based daemokjang. As a youngster, he learned carpentry from his father, Jang Jo-ung, who became a daemok during the late years of the Joseon Dynasty, and worked primarily in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do. On November 5, 2001, Jang Hyo-sun was designated by the Province of Gyeonggi-do as Intangible Cultural Property No. 36. Jeon Heung-su and Choe Gi-yeong, two Important Intangible Cultural Property-designated daemokjang (No. 74), also learned the trade under Jang Hyo-sun's late father.