GIWA FONT                                                                                                FOR  EVERYONE

The traditional architectural culture of Korea is composed of stone, wood, and earth. The primary material for buildings is wood, which forms the structural shape of the buildings. In addition to wood, stone and earth are used as auxiliary materials. Stone is used in areas directly in contact with earth to prevent wooden pillars from directly touching the soil, thus preventing the decay of the pillar roots. Earth is mixed with water to fill the floor, making it level, or used to create rooms by dividing the space between wooden pillars into compartments. However, earth is shaped in a certain form, similar to making pottery, filled into molds, kneaded into shape, dried, and then fired at high temperatures in a kiln to increase the strength, producing roof tiles. These tiles, once made, solidify like stones, preventing rainwater from seeping under the roof. They are layered on the roof, and even in the face of rain and wind, the water does not enter the house, thus protecting wooden structures. If the tiles on the roof break, the house will soon deteriorate as rainwater causes the wood to rot. Roof tiles made from kneaded earth are fired at temperatures exceeding 1,100°C. If tiles are baked at temperatures below 1,100°C, they absorb moisture and become easily breakable, making them unsuitable as materials for protecting the roof. Tiles made in this sturdy manner differ, with those used on the main roof surface (amgiwa, sungiwa) and those used at the roof ends (ammaksa, sumaksa). The ridge-end tiles (maksaegiwa) placed at the end of the roof are specially crafted with patterns. These patterns, varying with the era of tile production, have become representative works reflecting the cultural characteristics of the people of that time and providing insights into their sentiments.