'Cheongyang Janggoksa Gilt-Bronze Yaksa Buddha Seated Statue and Inner Relics' Designated as National Treasure Notice

Gilt-Bronze Seated Yaksa Buddha Statue from Janggoksa Temple, Cheongyang

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The Cultural Heritage Administration has announced the designation of the Goryeo-period 'Cheongyang Janggoksa Gilt-Bronze Yaksa Buddha Seated Statue and Its Inner Burial Artifacts' as a national treasure.

The 'Cheongyang Janggoksa Gilt-Bronze Yaksa Buddha Seated Statue and Its Inner Burial Artifacts (靑陽 長谷寺 金銅藥師如來坐像 및 腹藏遺物)', which has been announced for designation as a national treasure, is the only gilt-bronze Yaksa Buddha statue from the late Goryeo period. It has been highly valued as a work that well reflects the elegant and refined sculptural trends of the time. It was designated as a treasure in 1963.

In particular, the dedication inscription clearly states the exact production year as 1346 (the 2nd year of King Chungmok of Goryeo), providing a reference date for the study of late Goryeo Buddhist statues. The long dedication inscription, measuring just over 10 meters in length, contains the names of about 1,117 donors and petitioners. This is the largest number of names recorded in a single inner burial dedication inscription from the Goryeo period.

Additionally, a total of 10 items including the Joseon Dynasty legal code 'Gyeongguk Daejeon', King Jeongjo’s handwritten Korean letters, the astronomical folding screen 'Singubeop Cheonmundo Byeongpung (新舊法天文圖 屛風)', and the calligraphy of independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, spanning from the Joseon to the modern period, have been announced for designation as national treasures (treasures).

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to collect and review opinions from various sectors during the 30-day announcement period for the 11 items including the 'Cheongyang Janggoksa Gilt-Bronze Yaksa Buddha Seated Statue and Its Inner Burial Artifacts' and the 'Gyeongguk Daejeon', and after deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee, designate them as national treasures (national treasures and treasures).