조선초기의 시제와 세종의 자격루:(1) 물시계

Horary System of the Early Chosen and the King Sejong′s Striking Clepsydra : (1) Water-Clocks

King Sejong's Striking water-clock which brought in use on the first of July in 1434 was mainly composed of timekeeping and time announcing parts signalling twelve double-hours, and five night-watches and night-watch-divisions automatically by means of ball-operating jackworks. The clock was arranged with dual timekeeping system, the one for a full day(twelve double-hours) and the other for five night-watches achieving twelve double-hours and one-hundred interval horary systems. The vessels were arrayed in inflow-type water-clock, a large reservoir on the highest story, a constant-level tank for supplying water to the measuring vessel evenly in the middle, and the lowest tank to receive water from the above constant-level tank. An indicator-rod on the float was raised upwards depending on the water-level increase to show timing scales and also to release small bronze balls from the ball-rack mechanisms implanted on the measuring vessel to signal timing intervals.