Gokseong Taeansa Iljumun Gate Designated as National Treasure Upgraded from Treasure Status

First National Cultural Heritage Designation Among Gokseong-gun's Built Cultural Properties

Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) announced on the 26th that the Iljumun Gate of Taeansa Temple in Gokseong, a tangible cultural property of Jeollanam-do, has been elevated to a national treasure.

With this promotion, the Iljumun Gate of Taeansa Temple has become the first building cultural property in Gokseong-gun to be designated as a national cultural asset.

Taehansa Iljumun Gate, Gokseong [Photo by Gokseong County]

The Iljumun Gate of Taeansa Temple in Gokseong was newly confirmed to have been built in 1521 (the 16th year of King Jungjong's reign) under the name "Jogye Gate (조계문)" through a ridge beam inscription discovered during restoration work in 2017. The signature of Prince Hyoryeong, the second son of King Taejong of Joseon and a Daesehak (Grand Scholar) of Sungkyunkwan, left on the ridge beam inscription, indicates that this structure is connected to important historical events of the early Joseon period.

Although most of Taeansa Temple's buildings were destroyed during the Korean War (6.25 War), the Iljumun Gate, along with Neungpagak Pavilion, remains as one of the buildings preserving Gokseong's long history. The front of the Iljumun Gate bears the signboard "Dongrisan Taeansa (桐裏山泰安寺)," and the back displays the signboard "Bonghwangmun (鳳凰門)," enhancing its historical value.

Additionally, the upper inside of the main pillars of the Iljumun Gate is decorated with dragon heads. The dragon heads are elaborately and realistically depicted with two horns, large eyes, eyebrows, a wide-open mouth with teeth, and a mane at the back of the head.

The Iljumun Gate shows evidence of continuous restoration since its construction, as confirmed by the ridge beam inscription dating back to the early Joseon period and the bracket system and craftsmanship reflecting late Joseon architectural techniques. Recognizing its historical and academic value, the Iljumun Gate was promoted to a national treasure on November 2, 2023.

A county official stated, "This cultural property designation is very meaningful as it is the first case of a building cultural property in Gokseong-gun being designated as a national cultural asset. We will do our best to preserve the original form as much as possible and pass it on to future generations."

Gokseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-seon hss79@asiae.co.kr