Gangjin-gun 'Yonghyeolamji' Proposed for Designation as Provincial Cultural Property

Priority on Value Restoration through Additional Excavation Survey of Yonghyeolamji

[Gangjin=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] Gangjin County is actively reviewing additional excavation surveys and restoration possibilities to designate Yonghyeolamji, located in Doam-myeon, as a provincial cultural heritage site.

Yonghyeolamji is a historic hermitage where the 2nd Jeongmyeong Guksa, 4th Jinjeong Guksa, and 7th Jingam Guksa, among the eight national monks of Mandeoksa (currently Baekryeonsa), widely known for the Baekryeon Order, practiced. Yonghyeolamji is situated in a natural cave called Yonghyeol at an altitude of 200m on the southeast side of Deokryongsan Mountain, which stands 433m above sea level, and was designated as Gangjin County Local Cultural Heritage No. 47 in 2012 in recognition of its value.

Yonghyeolam was newly spotlighted by Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, who left several related writings in the 'Mandeoksa Site' and his poetry collections. During his exile in Gangjin (1801?1818), Dasan admired Jinjeong Guksa so much that from 1808, he regularly led his disciples on spring outings to this beloved place every year.

Related historical records of Yonghyeolam from the Goryeo period are found in 'Dongmunseon' and 'Hosanrok.' In addition, writings by Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and the literary collections of Yun Jeong-gi and Yun Chi-young contain records of artifacts related to Yonghyeolam, including a gilt bronze bar stand and incense burner bestowed by the Goryeo king to Cheonchaek.

Excavations conducted in 2013 and 2014 confirmed two building sites and two stone rows from the Goryeo and Joseon periods, along with artifacts such as Goryeo roof tiles, celadon, and buncheong ware.

A large quantity of celadon Buddha head fragments was unearthed in the lower Yonghyeol cave, indicating that this was an important space. While excavation of the lower Yonghyeolam site has been completed, the upper Yonghyeolam site nearby has yet to be excavated.

To restore Yonghyeolam's former glory and designate it as a provincial cultural heritage site, additional excavation of the upper Yonghyeolam must be prioritized, and the restoration potential of the pond site and building remains uncovered through excavation should be reviewed.

Gangjin County Governor Kang Jin-won stated, "Through the two previous excavations, it has been confirmed that Yonghyeolamji was a renowned Buddhist practice space from the Goryeo period with significant Buddhist ideological value. The unearthed celadon Buddha statues and other artifacts also hold considerable value in Buddhist sculpture and craft history," adding, "We will spare no support in preserving and managing Yonghyeolamji as a cultural heritage site."

Gangjin=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su gabrielw@asiae.co.kr

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