Rock-carved Seven Buddhas in Cheolcheon-ri, Naju

This is a uniquely shaped work in which Buddha images are carved on the surface of a roughly four-sided, cone-shaped rock. A figure of a child attendant is said to have once stood at the top of the rock, but it no longer survives. On the east face is one seated figure, and on the north face is another seated figure with hands joined in prayer. On the south face are four standing figures carved in a similar manner, and on the west face there were originally two Buddha images, one of which is said to have been removed by miners during the Japanese colonial period. All these Buddha images are very similar in their detailed treatment. They have a topknot-shaped protuberance rising high above a bare head, and their faces are elongated. Their bodies are long, flat and without curves, and the stiff posture and the simplified treatment of the drapery folds show a formulaic quality. A projecting section is provided beneath the feet of each figure in place of a proper pedestal. Although the carving technique shows the formulaic style commonly seen in Goryeo stone Buddha images, the distinctive overall form and the characteristics of a Buddhas-of-the-four-directions arrangement make this a valuable example.

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Where it is

Region

Naju, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물