THE NATURE OF GOTHIC

A Korean translation by Taeyoon Song

We are very grateful to Guild Companion Taeyoon Song, who has kindly offered to share his Korean translation of John Ruskin's The Nature of Gothic as a free, downloadable resource on the Guild website.

INTRODUCTION

John Ruskin is one of the thinkers I most respect and aspire to learn from. As a Korean student, I even became one of the first to join the Guild of St George, a step that shows how deeply his writings have moved me.

This translation is not a fully parallel text but a “selective dual-track” edition. The earlier, more discursive sections are offered in a smooth and readable form, while the technical portions—definitions, regulations, and practical rules—are rendered more closely to that of the original.

At the end of the book, a glossary and summary of translation guidelines are added so that first-time readers can follow the context without losing their way. You do not need to study Gothic architecture deeply to appreciate this book. I simply hope you may, even for a moment, share Ruskin’s way of seeing—a vision of order and change that resembles nature, and of life that shines through imperfection. If this small attempt becomes someone’s first impression of John Ruskin, it will have served its purpose.

I ask for your generous understanding where my work falls short and welcome any advice for better translations.

Taeyoon Song, Brighton, October 2025

DOWNLOAD THE KOREAN EDITION HERE.