Jija Chongtong Gun (1986-2)

The Jija Chongtong is a Korean cannon, the second largest of the Cheon (Heaven), Ji (Earth), Hyeon (Mystery) and Hwang (Yellow) chongtong types after the Cheonja Chongtong. It is 89 cm long, with a bore diameter of 10.5 cm and an outer diameter of 17.2 cm, and was made in 1557, the twelfth year of King Myeongjong of Joseon. It has two handles attached in their original circular form, and ten segments in all; the seventh and eighth segments are joined together, marking the division between the powder chamber and the wadding chamber. The wadding chamber held a cylindrical piece of wood driven into it, which maximised the explosive force of the gunpowder packed into the powder chamber. There are two holes in the powder chamber, and the cannon fired either arrows or shot. The Jija Chongtong had already been made and used in the reign of King Taejong of Joseon, and in 1445, the twenty-seventh year of King Sejong, its original form was improved and developed under the policy of developing gunpowder weapons. Alongside this piece, another Jija Chongtong designated a treasure survives at the Jinju National Museum, and records mention two further Jija Chongtong of similar form in Japan, though this is not confirmed.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Seo-gu, Busan

Designation

Treasure · 보물