Four Iljumun Gates Symbolizing 'Ilshim' to Become Treasures

'Suncheon Seonamsa Iljumun', 'Mungyeong Bongamsa Bonghwangmun',
'Goseong Okcheonsa Jabangru', 'Sangju Daesanru' Also Designated as Treasures

Suncheon Seonamsa Iljumun Gate

Iljumun (一柱門) is the main gate marking the beginning of a temple area. Two pillars are aligned in a row with a roof on top, symbolizing single-mindedness (一心). It served as a signal to completely wash away worldly desires and head toward the world of truth.

The Cultural Heritage Administration has surveyed about fifty Iljumun gates nationwide since last year. Four gates with exceptional value were selected and announced as candidates for Treasure designation on the 27th. These include 'Suncheon Seonamsa Iljumun,' 'Mungyeong Bongamsa Bonghwangmun,' 'Daegu Donghwasa Bonghwangmun,' and 'Gurye Cheoneunsa Iljumun.' Opinions from various sectors will be collected for a month, and the final designation will be decided after review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

Suncheon Seonamsa Iljumun is called 'Jogye Gate' because it has a signboard in front that reads 'Jogyesan Seonamsa (曹溪山仙巖寺).' It was reconstructed in 1540 with a single-bay gable roof (a roof shaped like an open book placed upside down) and a multi-bracket (多包式) structure. It is said to have been the only structure in Seonamsa to survive the Japanese invasions of Imjin and the Manchu invasions of Byeongja.

Bongamsa Iljumun Gate, Mungyeong

Mungyeong Bongamsa Bonghwangmun was built before 1723. Like Seonamsa Iljumun, it features a single-bay gable roof and a multi-bracket structure. Signboards reading 'Heiyangsan Bongamsa (曦陽山鳳巖寺)' and 'Bonghwangmun (鳳凰門)' hang on the front and back, respectively.

Daegu Donghwasa Bonghwangmun was constructed in 1633 and relocated to its current location in 1965. It has a single-bay hipped-and-gable roof (a roof with a triangular wall with a gable on top) and a multi-bracket structure. Slanting members are added above the main pillars, and two auxiliary pillars stand beside them.

Gurye Cheoneunsa Iljumun was built in 1723. It has a signboard in front that reads 'Jirisan Cheoneunsa (智異山泉隱寺).' Due to frequent fires at the temple, the calligraphy was written by Wongyo Lee Gwangsa (1705?1775) in a flowing style resembling running water. It features a single-bay hipped-and-gable roof and a multi-bracket structure, with a stone threshold between the main pillars. Usually, the threshold of an Iljumun is made of wood.

Gurye Cheoneunsa Iljumun Gate

Meanwhile, the Cultural Heritage Administration also announced the candidates for Treasure designation on the same day, including 'Goseong Okcheonsa Jabangru,' 'Sangju Daesanru,' 'Seongnam Bongguksa Daegwangmyeongjeon,' and 'Namwon Silsangsa Pyeonunhwangsangtap.'

Goseong Okcheonsa Jabangru is the main gate built opposite the Dharma Hall in 1664. It was reconstructed as a pavilion in 1764 and is called 'Jeongru (正樓)' or 'Chaebangru (採芳樓).' Signboards reading 'Okcheonsa (玉泉寺)' and 'Jabangru (滋芳樓)' hang on the front and back, respectively. Its scale is larger than the Daeungjeon Hall. All bays on the front have wooden panel doors that can be opened or closed to control access.

Sangju Daesanru is a pavilion and study room where Ubok Jeong Gyeongse (1563?1633), who inherited the tradition of the Yeongnam School, studied after returning to his hometown. It is a two-story pavilion with a hipped-and-gable roof, and its floor plan is shaped like the Korean character '丁.' The southern 'ㅣ'-shaped building serves as a study space, while the northern 'ㅡ'-shaped building is a pavilion for rest and receiving guests.

Goseong Okcheonsa Jabangru

Seongnam Bongguksa was a temple built under royal patronage to pray for the souls of Queen Myeonghye and Queen Myeongseon, daughters of King Hyeonjong of Joseon. Daegwangmyeongjeon is the Buddha hall built at the same time. It is splendid and solemn, with a canopy structure (a decorative structure resembling an eave above the Buddha altar or throne) centered around the Buddha statue.

Namwon Silsangsa Pyeonunhwangsangtap is a monument dedicated to the veneration and remembrance of the monk Pyeonunhwangsa. It is estimated to have been constructed in 910. At that time, relic pagodas for eminent monks were generally built in an octagonal hall (八角堂) style. The shape of Pyeonunhwangsangtap resembles an incense burner (hyangwan), which has a bowl-shaped body and a trumpet-shaped tall pedestal. The overall proportions and harmony of the pedestal and the pagoda body suggest that the top artisans of the era were responsible for its design and construction.

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