"The Mirror Was Power at That Time"... National Cheongju Museum Special Exhibition "Mirror, Reflecting the Era"

Special Exhibition at the National Cheongju Museum Runs Until July 20
"Mirrors Reflecting the Era" Explores Ancient Lives and Mirror Culture
Bronze Mirrors from Northeast Asia, Including Rare Artifacts, on Display

The National Cheongju Museum announced on the 20th that it will hold a special exhibition titled "Mirrors Reflecting the Era" from the 21st to July 20th.

Janmunee Mirror from Daegok-ri, Hwasun. Provided by the National Cheongju Museum.

The special exhibition was planned to look into the lives of ancient people reflected in mirrors and to examine the patterns of mirror exchanges in Northeast Asia. The exhibition broadly introduces mirror culture that transcends eras and regional differences, focusing on three perspectives: "Production," "Symbolism," and "Exchange."

Part 1, "Capturing Light," explores the production process and technological development of bronze mirrors, as well as the significance of mirrors in ancient societies. It investigates ritual mirrors excavated from capitals, residential sites, and sacrificial sites, and the meanings of mirrors made from various materials such as soil, stone, and lead. Broken mirrors called "Pakyung (破鏡)," processed items made by refining these broken mirrors, and mirrors stored wrapped in cloth are also introduced.

Part 2, "Becoming Power," focuses on who owned mirrors and the social and political backgrounds that allowed them to possess mirrors. Through various types of mirrors excavated from the tombs of the ruling class, it confirms that mirrors were prestigious items symbolizing the wealth and power of the elite and served as important symbols.

Part 3, "Connecting Cultures," follows the process by which mirrors were transmitted across eras and regions, encountering the lives and cultures of ancient people contained within them.

Iron swords and iron products excavated from Chilsil Tomb in Yonggang, Pyongnam, Goguryeo. Provided by the National Cheongju Museum.

In particular, this exhibition actively utilizes large maps to provide an overview of the excavation status and exchanges of Northeast Asian bronze mirrors, including Danyue mirrors, Chinese mirrors, Wa mirrors, and Bangje mirrors. The iron mirror excavated from the Chilshil Tomb in Pyeongnam, Goguryeo, discovered during the Japanese colonial period, is being publicly displayed for the first time. In addition, items from the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s collection, such as the National Treasure Jangmuni mirror excavated from Daegok-ri, Hwasun, and the Uijasonsudaegyeong excavated from the Tomb of King Muryeong, are also exhibited together.

Mirrors collected by the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee. Provided by the National Cheongju Museum

A separate space has also been created where visitors can directly touch and experience bronze mirrors.