Geungnakbojeon Hall of Muwisa Temple, Gangjin

Muwisa was founded in 617 by the monk Wonhyo, under the name Gwaneumsa; after repeated rebuilding the name changed to Muwisa. Geungnakbojeon, the oldest building here, was put up in 1430 and is three bays by three. The roof is gabled, taking the shape of the character for person when seen from the side, and the brackets carrying the eaves sit only on the columns — plain, but carved with real refinement. The hall held an Amitabha triad and twenty-nine wall paintings. One large painting remains behind the images; the other twenty-eight are kept in the exhibition hall. A story attaches to them. When the hall was finished an old man appeared, asked that nobody look inside for forty-nine days, and went in. On the forty-ninth day the abbot broke the promise, made a hole in the door and looked — and a blue bird, at that moment painting in the pupils of the last figure, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, flew off with the brush in its beak. The eyes of that figure have no pupils to this day. Against the curved members favoured in late Goryeo building, this hall uses straight ones, and the balance of its joinery is exact. It is regarded as an outstanding example of the early Joseon manner.

AI Translation

Visiting

Information

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-61-432-4974

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Gangjin, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

National Treasure · 국보