Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda
Encyclopedia
Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda is National Treasure of Korea
No. 86. It was designated by the South Korean government on December 20, 1962.
An inscription on the first story of the pagoda states that it was erected in the fourth year of King Chungmok
in 1348. The pagoda was first placed at the now-lost Gyeongcheonsa Temple which sat at the foot of Mt. Buso in Gwangdeok-myeon, Gaepung-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Province. During the Japanese occupation of Korea
, the pagoda was taken to Japan. In 1960, the pagoda was returned and placed on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung
Palace. Today, the pagoda stands in one of the main halls of the National Museum of Korea
.
The pagoda stands 13 meters in height and is ten stories tall. However, because of the three-tiered foundation, it is a common mistake to believe that the pagoda has thirteen stories. Unlike most Goryeo
-era pagodas, this pagoda is made from marble. The preferred material of Korean sculptors was generally granite. The later Joseon
-era Wongaksa Pagoda
is stylistically very similar and is believed to have been heavily influenced by the Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda.
Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda sits on a three-tiered foundation which projects in four directions like a cross. The first three stories of the pagoda share the same shape as the foundation. Each panel of this tiered foundation is carved with Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, flowers, and arabesque patterns.
The remaining stories are square in shape and share intricate detailing which tries to create the illusion that the marble pagoda is made from wood. Each remaining story has railings, a hip-and-gabled roof, eaves, and carvings made to suggest that each roof is tiled.
The pagoda is valuable because it preserves the Goryeo-era wooden architectural style that has been mostly lost. According to the South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration
, the pagoda is one of the finest examples of Korean stone work and is of high artistic value.
National treasures of South Korea
The National Treasures of Korea are a numbered set of tangible treasures, artifacts, sites, and buildings which are recognized by South Korea as having exceptional artistic, cultural and historical value...
No. 86. It was designated by the South Korean government on December 20, 1962.
An inscription on the first story of the pagoda states that it was erected in the fourth year of King Chungmok
Chungmok of Goryeo
Chungmok of Goryeo was the 29th king of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the eldest son of King Chunghye, and his mother was Princess Deongnyeong. Chungmok bore the title wang, which means "king" but also signified Goryeo's submission to the Yuan Dynasty emperor...
in 1348. The pagoda was first placed at the now-lost Gyeongcheonsa Temple which sat at the foot of Mt. Buso in Gwangdeok-myeon, Gaepung-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...
Province. During the Japanese occupation of Korea
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
, the pagoda was taken to Japan. In 1960, the pagoda was returned and placed on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1394 and reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty...
Palace. Today, the pagoda stands in one of the main halls of the National Museum of Korea
National Museum of Korea
The National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea...
.
The pagoda stands 13 meters in height and is ten stories tall. However, because of the three-tiered foundation, it is a common mistake to believe that the pagoda has thirteen stories. Unlike most Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
-era pagodas, this pagoda is made from marble. The preferred material of Korean sculptors was generally granite. The later Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
-era Wongaksa Pagoda
Wongaksa Pagoda
Wongaksa Pagoda is a twelve metre high ten-storey marble pagoda in South Korea, once on the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung palace but now held at Seoul's Tapgol Park in a protective glass case...
is stylistically very similar and is believed to have been heavily influenced by the Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda.
Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda sits on a three-tiered foundation which projects in four directions like a cross. The first three stories of the pagoda share the same shape as the foundation. Each panel of this tiered foundation is carved with Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, flowers, and arabesque patterns.
The remaining stories are square in shape and share intricate detailing which tries to create the illusion that the marble pagoda is made from wood. Each remaining story has railings, a hip-and-gabled roof, eaves, and carvings made to suggest that each roof is tiled.
The pagoda is valuable because it preserves the Goryeo-era wooden architectural style that has been mostly lost. According to the South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration
Cultural Heritage Administration
The Cultural Heritage Administration or CHA, formerly the Cultural Properties Administration, is an agency of the South Korean government charged with preserving key aspects of the Korean cultural heritage. It is headquartered in the city of Daejeon at the Daejeon Government Complex...
, the pagoda is one of the finest examples of Korean stone work and is of high artistic value.
See also
- Wongaksa PagodaWongaksa PagodaWongaksa Pagoda is a twelve metre high ten-storey marble pagoda in South Korea, once on the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung palace but now held at Seoul's Tapgol Park in a protective glass case...
- National Museum of KoreaNational Museum of KoreaThe National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea...
- National treasures of South KoreaNational treasures of South KoreaThe National Treasures of Korea are a numbered set of tangible treasures, artifacts, sites, and buildings which are recognized by South Korea as having exceptional artistic, cultural and historical value...
- National treasures of North KoreaNational treasures of North KoreaDesignated national treasures of North Korea are tangible artifacts, sites, and buildings deemed to have significant historical or artistic value.-No. 1-50:-No. 51-100:-No. 101-150:-No...