The 'Wooden Statue of Jeoseokcheon' from Pyeongchang's Sangwon Temple, believed to have been created in the early Joseon period, has been designated as a national cultural heritage treasure, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced on August 27.
This statue is a rare example of a Jeoseokcheon figure sculpted in wood, which is typically depicted in paintings in Buddhist art. It is estimated to have been created before 1645, based on restoration records of relics discovered in 2008 and the inscription of the wooden statue of Manjushri (National Treasure).
The statue's seated posture, plump and rounded face, and the elevated topknot (a traditional hairstyle for Buddhas and Bodhisattvas) reflect stylistic elements from the late Goryeo period. It is considered a significant resource for understanding early Joseon Buddhist sculpture and the rituals associated with relic deposits at that time.
Additionally, the 'Iron Buddha of Jingu Temple,' 'Landscape and Figures Album by Lee Gyeong-yun,' 'Collection of Sam Bong,' 'Early Edition of the Yoga Sutra,' and 'Anseong Goshinwangji' have also been designated as treasures.
The 'Iron Buddha of Jingu Temple' is believed to have been created between the late 9th and early 10th centuries. Although some parts of the hands and body are missing, its balanced proportions and refined sculptural techniques reveal its original beauty. It features typical characteristics of late 9th-century iron Buddhas, including a triangular face, a neat jaw and mouth, a double-curved nose, and slender eyes. The slender waist, full chest, and softly flowing garment folds reflect the artistic traditions of the Unified Silla period. This statue is thought to have been enshrined at Jingu Temple, a key temple of the Gusan Seonmun, which was established during the late Silla period, and is regarded as an excellent work with historical, artistic, and sculptural value.
The 'Landscape and Figures Album by Lee Gyeong-yun' is a collection attributed to Lee Gyeong-yun (1545–1611), a prominent literati painter of the mid-Joseon period. The album contains landscape and figure paintings, with works by Lee Gyeong-yun on pages 1 to 9, and unidentified artists' works on pages 10 to 22.
This album also includes a poem and a colophon written by the noted writer Choi Rip (1539–1612) from the reign of King Seonjo. The poem relates to the titles of the paintings, while the colophon provides insights into the overall content and creation process of the work. This is a rare example that conveys the original owner's history, creation context, and appreciation records, making it an important art historical resource that illustrates the exchange among literati in the mid-Joseon period and the formation of albums, as well as a valuable work for understanding Lee Gyeong-yun's painting style.
The 'Collection of Sam Bong' is a reprinted first volume of the writings of Jeong Dojeon, a key figure in the founding of the Joseon dynasty, published in 1465 (11th year of King Sejo's reign). After the original edition published during the reign of King Taejo was lost due to the Prince's Rebellion, descendants compiled and republished the scattered writings. Notably, the colophon unique to this edition serves as a crucial basis for clarifying the early publication and transmission process of the 'Collection of Sam Bong,' making it highly valuable in the fields of early Joseon literature, history, and bibliography.
The 'Early Edition of the Yoga Sutra' is a text corresponding to volume 3 of a total of 100 volumes translated by Xuanzang during the Tang dynasty. This is the only known edition of this volume found both domestically and internationally, making it extremely rare. Although some parts are not well-preserved, it demonstrates the level of Yogacara studies during the Goryeo period and features meticulously annotated reading aids in Korean, providing valuable historical material for the study of the Korean language.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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