A New Goseok Stone Will Be Made in Front of Taejo Yi Seonggye's Tomb

About One-Third of Han Gi Partially Broken... Preserved and Then Exhibited

Some of the round stones placed in front of the tomb of Taejo Yi Seong-gye will be replaced. On the 3rd, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration, the Joseon Royal Tombs Eastern District Management Office under the Palace and Tomb Heritage Headquarters recently reported the preservation plan for the Goseok (鼓石) of Geonwonneung in Guri Donggureung to the Cultural Heritage Committee.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Goseok is a round stone shaped like a drum. It serves as a supporting bridge for the Honyuseok (魂遊石) placed in front of the burial mound. A ghost face (鬼面, a ghost’s face) is carved on the round surface to protect the Honyuseok from evil spirits. The Honyuseok is a stone on which the spirit is allowed to come out and play.

Goseok, an important stone artifact constituting royal tombs, is made in five units at Geonwonneung. One of these units is about one-third broken. There have been continuous opinions that maintenance and repair are necessary. The 2020 report titled "Guri Donggureung Historical Landscape Restoration and Maintenance Study" published by the Cultural Heritage Administration also states that "it is necessary to replace or preserve the damaged part of one Goseok." It is not confirmed when or how it was broken.

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to preserve the Goseok in poor condition and then exhibit it at the History and Culture Center. A newly made stone artifact identical to the existing Goseok will replace the vacant spot. The other four Goseok units and the Honyuseok will also be repaired together. The Palace and Tomb Heritage Headquarters said, "We plan to remove contaminants such as moss on the surface and preserve traces of breakage or wear," adding, "The work is scheduled to take about three months starting this month."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Geonwonneung is almost a model of the Joseon royal tomb system. Its form is similar to the tomb style of King Gongmin of Goryeo, but it shows differences in stone artifact design and arrangement. Unlike other royal tombs, it is also characterized by being covered with silver grass instead of grass. According to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty and other records, it is said that according to Taejo’s will, silver grass from his hometown, Hamheung in Hamgyeong Province, was brought to create the burial mound.

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