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After the Japanese Occupation which began in 1910 however,
parts of the palace grounds were rearranged, partially
destroyed, and even taken to Japan. As with the other
palaces, Changdeokgung Palace also had many of its auxiliary
buildings removed, and in general the grounds lost much
of their authenticity. Changdeokgung Palace was ideally
located, however: to the east was Changgyeonggung Palace,
to the southeast was Jongmyo (site of the royal family's
ancestral tablets and memorial shrines), and to the
west was official residence,Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The main structures of Changdeokgung Palace include
the gate, Donhwamun, the beautiful granite bridge Geumcheongyo,
and the Injeongjeon which served for official state
functions. The Seonjeongjeon was used for affairs of
state between the king and his ministers. The Daejojeon
served as the queen's guarders as well as the king's
sleeping quarters, and as educational quarters for the
princes. The original quarters were destroyed on several
occasions, and during the Japanese Occupation the existing
quarters became somewhat westernized. The current quarters
are a combination of both Korean and western styles.
Other major buildings on the palace grounds included
Hamwonjeon, Gyeonghungak, Gajeongdang, Eochago, Naeuiwon
and Seongjeonggak, the Gwanmulhon, the old Seonwonjeon,
Nakseonje, Chwiwunjeong, Hanjeongdang, Sangnyangjeong,
Manwolmun, Sunghwaru, Samsamwa, and Chilbunso.
A particularly distinctive feature of Changdeokgung
Palace is the fact that it was built with minimum effect
on the natural environment and designed to harmonize
with nature as completely as possible. Buildings were
designed and constructed to blend easily with the immediate
surroundings and even directions were given careful
consideration in planning and building. Space was utilized
to provide distinctly different atmospheres throughout
the grounds. Also, careful consideration was given to
provide continuous yet different views from each site
on the grounds.
At the same time, however, the grounds retained a great
deal of privacy for palace life, as evidenced by the
small number of entrances. But there is a large number
of artifacts which have been preserved to inform us
of life in the inner world of the palace. And even today,
Changdeokgung Palace remains the most Korean of all
palaces.
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