Landscape Characteristics of the &lt;italic&gt;Nae-oe-dam&lt;/italic&gt; (wall) of Traditional Houses in Gyeongsangnam-do
Authors: Han Hae-Young , Lim Eui-Je 
Published: January 2025

Background and objective: A <i>nae-oe-dam</i> (a type of wall or fence) is a significant facility in traditional spaces that reflects historical eras and social aspects. However, due to insufficient recognition of its scenic value, the original form of <i>nae-oe-dam</i> is sometimes lost or destroyed during cultural heritage maintenance or restoration. In this context, the function and form of <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s in traditional houses were analyzed to determine their scenic value and distinctive characteristics.Methods: We conducted a field survey of 82 traditional houses (<i>hanok</i>) designated as cultural heritage sites in Gyeongsangnam-do, and selected 16 sites with <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s as research subjects. Based on the field survey data, we analyzed the form and function of the <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s, and ultimately, derived their landscape characteristics.Results: 1. <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s were primarily installed in modern <i>hanok</i>s built from the opening of ports (1846) to the Japanese colonial period, influenced by the strengthened <i>nae-oe-beop</i> (Confucian ethical virtue or law) of the late Joseon period. Contrary to the commonly understood dictionary definition, <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s were found to be installed not only at the <i>an-chae</i> (women’s quarters) and <i>sarang-chae</i> (men’s quarters) but also at main gates, toilets, and entrances to vegetable gardens. 2. The primary purpose of installing <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s in traditional houses was found to be to block the view of outsiders. Moreover, the main functions of <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s appear to be to divide spaces, guide movement, and conceal toilet facilities. 3. The height of the <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s was closely related to their intended purpose. To block the view of the <i>an-chae</i>, relatively tall <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s were placed in the <i>sarang-madang</i> and <i>an-madang</i>. In contrast, in front of the <i>sarang-chae</i>, and the visually open main gate, lower <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s were was installed to avoid creating a closed landscape. 4. <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s were constructed as a toseak-dam made of local soil and stones, and were also designed as flower walls to enhance the landscape. 5 the <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s were found to have three construction types: the orthogonal type, built in connection with an existing wall; the extended type, built at the end of an existing wall; and the stand-alone type, built independently. The planar shapes of <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s were typically "ㅡ" or "ㄱ," depending on the conditions of their connection to an existing wall. 6. The type of <i>nae-oe-dam</i> that includes a planter can be called a planter-type <i>nae-oe-dam</i>. This type not only further blocks the view by planting vegetation, but also serves a landscaping purpose. The plants and chimneys placed in the planter indicate that such <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s functioned both as a shielding structure and as landscape facilities.Conclusion: The functions and forms of <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s, which were examined in traditional houses in Gyeongsangnam-do, were found to have different landscape characteristics compared to general walls. <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s, which originated from the <i>nae-oe-beop</i> in the Joseon period, were created until the Japanese colonial period, and the custom of <i>nae-oe-beop</i> reflected in the housing space remained even during the modernization process. It is expected that this study will raise awareness of the landscape value of <i>nae-oe-dam</i>s and serve as basic data for future cultural heritage management.