Meet Mireuksa Site Dyed with 'Precious Light Green Glaze' at the National Iksan Museum

Until November 22, Ancient Nokyu Cultural Heritage in One Place

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jaehee] The National Iksan Museum is unveiling the full form of the Mireuksaji Green-Glazed Roof Tile, the first green glaze in Korea, for the first time.

On the 3rd, the National Iksan Museum announced that it will hold a special exhibition titled "Green Glaze, Nokyu (綠油)" gathering ancient green-glazed artifacts in one place until November 22, highlighting Mireuksa, the first Buddhist temple decorated with green-glazed roof tiles.

"Nokyu" is a glaze used to produce green and blue colors on pottery surfaces, symbolizing authority and wealth. In Korea, the first glaze was produced during the Three Kingdoms period, and green-glazed pottery has been made since the early 6th century in Baekje.

More than 1,300 green-glazed roof tiles were discovered at most building sites of Mireuksa. The use of green-glazed roof tiles throughout Mireuksa is a feature not seen even in the royal palace of Sabi, the capital of Baekje, indicating the high status of Iksan Mireuksa, the largest Buddhist temple of Baekje.

This special exhibition gathers ancient green-glazed artifacts in one place, showcasing a total of 177 items and 2,007 pieces, including the Mireuksaji Green-Glazed Roof Tile, the first green-glazed roof tile in Korea, green-glazed rafter end tiles, the green-glazed bone jar (National Treasure No. 125), green-glazed cups and cup stands (Treasure No. 453), and the green-glazed guardian deity statues from Sacheonwangsa Temple Site.

The green-glazed rafter end tile was used as a finishing decoration at the end of roof rafters. It is decorated with seven lotus petals and a five-leaf bindweed pattern inside, with the patterned front and border parts glazed in green.

The green-glazed bone jar is believed to have originated in the late Three Kingdoms period after the 7th century, influenced by Buddhist funerary customs. The owners of the tombs using these jars were likely the highest ruling class, including royalty.

Green-glazed cups and cup stands, which were used restrictively in royal and Buddhist temples, have been found in some provinces, demonstrating that the central elite culture was actively utilized in local governance.

The exhibition is organized into four sections: "Green Glaze, Coloring Mireuksa," "Green Glaze, Adorning the Land of Buddha," "Green Glaze, Becoming a Symbol of Authority and Wealth," and "Creating Korea’s First Glaze."

A representative of the National Iksan Museum said, "This special exhibition is a meaningful event showcasing Korea’s first green-glazed roof tiles that decorated Mireuksa. Although the glaze has lost its original luster over the long years, we hope visitors can recall its brilliant original appearance and share the stories contained within."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.