Flower Petal Decorations Made from Bidanbeolle Wings to Be Introduced in Japan

Exhibition of Reproductions of Artifacts from Tomb No. 44 in Jjoksaem District, Gyeongju

Silk beetle ornaments from the tomb of a Silla princess will be introduced in Japan.

Jjoksaem Tomb No. 44 Silk Beetle Ornament Horse Harness Reproduction

The National Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute announced on the 26th that it will hold a special exhibition and research presentation titled "Korean Silk Beetle Ornamented Horse Tack" at the Lifelong Learning Center in Koga City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, on the 27th.

The institute will reveal the results of the investigation and research on Tomb No. 44 in the Jjoksaem district of Gyeongju. Tomb No. 44 in Jjoksaem is a tomb constructed in the late 5th century. It is presumed to be the burial site of a young princess of Silla. Various artifacts such as a gilt-bronze crown, gilt-bronze shoes, and Go stones were excavated, attracting attention.

The exhibition will display reproductions made by studying the main artifacts. These include a reproduction of a horse collar decorated with hundreds of wings of green-glossy silk beetles, reproductions of the gilt-bronze crown and gilt-bronze shoes, and materials reproducing traces of textiles. A horse collar is a panel hung under the saddle to prevent dirt from splashing onto the rider’s legs.

There will also be a session where officials who directly participated in the excavation will attend to explain the significance of Tomb No. 44 in Jjoksaem and the results of the investigation.

Excavation Appearance of Silk Beetle Ornamented Horse Trappings from Jjoksaem Tomb No. 44

An institute official explained, "Reproductions of silk beetle ornamented horse tack excavated from the Funabaru (船原) Kofun, a national historic site in Japan, will also be featured, allowing a comparison of ancient Korean and Japanese silk beetle ornament artifacts." The Funabaru Kofun is believed to have been constructed in the late 6th to early 7th century. It is known to have close ties with Silla and Gaya.

The official added, "Research on ancient exchanges between Silla and Japan has not been as widely known compared to Baekje and Gaya. We hope this event will serve as an opportunity to invigorate such studies."