Author(s): Hyeonjun Kim
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Keywords: Chugugi; Wootaek; Joseon Dynasty; Annual rainfall variation; Rainfall observation network
Abstract: The ancient rainfall gauge, “Chugugi or Chuk-Woo-Kee”, was invented in 1441, in the Joseon Dynasty. Precipitation data for Seoul have been recorded since 1770, representing one of the world’s longest instrumental measurement in daily precipitation. The Chugugi is a cylinder with a diameter of 14.7 cm and a height of about 45.5 cm. The depth of precipitation collected in the Chugugi is measured with a standard ruler. It was installed at the Palace and Meteorological Agency in the capital area and at the supervision of each province offices in the local area. Wada firstly introduced the Chugugi and compiled a monthly precipitation data set. Lim and Jung re-compiled the Chugugi data set from two sets of royal diaries from the Joseon Dynasty, ‘‘Seungjungwonilgee’’ and ‘‘Ilsungrok’’ for the Seoul. Jhun and Moon reconstructed daily precipitation record. Another rainfall record set were founded in official local government reports, “Gaksadeungnok” for the whole province. The Wootaek is an indirect method of measuring the amount of rainfall into the soil. There are 372 rainfall stations including Chugugi and Wootaek in nation-wide after 1770. These precipitation data were restored and can be a guidance to understand the climatic tendency of 19th century of Korean peninsula.
Year: 2020