The Only Existing Late Goryeo Gilt-Bronze Yaksa Buddha Statue Designated as a National Treasure

Three Items of Gyeongguk Daejeon and New and Old Beopcheonmundo Folding Screens Designated as Treasures

Gilt-Bronze Seated Yaksa Buddha Statue and Inner Burial Artifacts from Janggoksa Temple, Cheongyang

The 'Gilt-Bronze Seated Yaksa Buddha Statue and Its Inner Burial Artifacts from Janggoksa Temple in Cheongyang' has been designated as a National Treasure. Three volumes of the Joseon Dynasty's legal code 'Gyeongguk Daejeon (經國大典)', a folding screen of 'New and Old Astronomical Charts (新·舊法天文圖)', and a collection of Hangul letters written by King Jeongjo titled 'Jeongjo Hangul Eochalcheop' have been designated as Treasures. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 23rd that it will systematically preserve and utilize these six items in cooperation with local governments and owners.

The gilt-bronze seated Yaksa Buddha statue from Janggoksa Temple is the only extant gilt-bronze Yaksa Buddha statue from the late Goryeo period. The inscription of the vow (발원문, a text recording wishes prayed to Buddha) indicates the production year as the 2nd year of King Chungmok of Goryeo (1346). The expression reflects the typical style of 14th-century Buddhist sculpture, characterized by elegance and refinement. The Yaksa Buddha figure holding a medicine container (yak-hap, 藥盒) is accurately depicted with a gentle and compassionate expression, well-proportioned body, and delicate clothing decorations.

The Vow Inscription of the Gilt-Bronze Seated Yaksa Buddha Statue at Janggoksa Temple, Cheongyang (Signature Section by Baegun Hwasang)

The vow inscription, slightly over 10 meters in length, is also a valuable artifact with historical and academic significance. It records the names of 1,117 donors and vow-makers. A Cultural Heritage Administration official stated, "It contains the largest number of names among single Goryeo inner burial vow inscriptions," and added, "The Mongolian-style name of King Gongmin, 'Bayantemur (伯顔帖木兒)', is also found." The vow inscription's author, the monk Baegun, is presumed to be the same person as Baegun Gyeonghan, who compiled the 'Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo Jikji Simche Yojeol.' The 'Jikji' is the world's oldest extant metal movable type book, published in 1377.

Gyeongguk Daejeon Volume 4-6

The Gyeongguk Daejeon volumes designated as Treasures include volumes 1?2 held by the Samsung Publishing Museum, volumes 1?3 owned by the National Library of Korea, and volumes 4?6 stored at the Suwon Hwaseong Museum. All are highly regarded for their bibliographic completeness. 'Gyeongguk Daejeon Volumes 1?2' is the 'Sinmyo Daejeon' printed in 1471, the earliest edition among Gyeongguk Daejeon prints. It was printed using the early Joseon metal movable type called Chojugabinja. 'Gyeongguk Daejeon Volumes 1?3' and 'Volumes 4?6' are based on the so-called 'Eulsa Daejeon' completed in the 16th year of King Seongjong's reign (1485) and were printed in the 16th century. Together, these two sets form a complete collection. A Cultural Heritage Administration official said, "These are groundbreaking materials for the study of Joseon legal history," and predicted, "They will be widely used in future related research."

Singu Beopcheonmundo

The 'New and Old Astronomical Charts Folding Screen' held by the National Museum of Korea is an eight-panel folding screen that places Eastern and Western astronomical charts on the left and right sides. The coloring uses emerald green, a synthetic pigment imported from the West. The production date is estimated to be the late 19th century, when the pigment was imported. A Cultural Heritage Administration official said, "It shows the fusion of Eastern and Western astronomical knowledge," and added, "It reveals the characteristics and significance of astronomy, geometry, and mathematics of the time."

Jeongjo Korean Letter Album

The 'Jeongjo Hangul Eochalcheop' held by the National Hangeul Museum is a collection of fourteen letters written in Hangul by King Jeongjo to his maternal aunt, Lady Yeoheung Min, from the time he was the Crown Prince before his enthronement to after he ascended the throne. It clearly shows the changes in King Jeongjo's Hangul handwriting style. The content mainly consists of seasonal greetings and inquiries about well-being. A Cultural Heritage Administration official said, "It is an important resource for the study of Joseon royal culture."

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