Ten-Story Pagoda: Detailed carvings
Period: Goryeo, 1348
Location: National Museum of Korea
The Ten-Story Pagoda of Gyeongcheon Temple is the first Korean marble pagoda. It was erected in the fourth year (1348) of Goryeo’s King Chungmok’s reign at the Gyeongcheon Temple monastery.
The foundation and each level of the pagoda are filled with carvings depicting subjects such as Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and flowers. The pagoda is attractive because of its balanced structure and detailed carvings and is valuable because it preserves the structure of Goryeo-era wooden buildings.
The pagoda was dismantled during the Japanese occupation of Korea and shipped to Japan.
It was later returned and stored in Gyeongbok Palace. After a 10-year restoration, the national treasure now stands tall at the National Museum of Korea.
*The photos and text for Treasure Trove are provided by the National Museum of Korea. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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