Rain Gauge Pedestal of Gyeongsang Provincial Office, Daegu

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.330

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

1770년(조선 영조 46년)

Designated year

2020

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 종로구 송월길 52 (송월동, 국립기상박물관)

Coordinates

37.570222, 126.966204Kakao address conversion

This rain gauge pedestal (National Treasure No. 330; currently kept at the Korea Meteorological Administration) is made of a rectangular stone with a height of 46 centimeters. The letters inscribed on its façade read: “Rain Gauge Pedestal Made in May 1770” (the 46th year of the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon). According to a record left by the Japanese meteorologist Yuji WADA during the colonial period, the pedestal was originally placed in the courtyard of Seonhwadang Hall of the Gyeongsang Provincial Office in Daegu, and was later relocated to the meteorological office of the Japanese Governor-General’s Office in Korea. It is a very important artifact that shows that the country continued to measure rainfall using a system and rain gauge introduced in the late fifteenth century. Although the rain gauge (cylinder) has been lost, the pedestal states the year of its production, and thus it is worth considering for designation as a National Treasure, along with the rain gauge which used to be at the Chungcheong Provincial Office in Gongju, in order to publicize its historic and scientific value.

Location