Bronze Bell of Oeosa Temple, Pohang

This Goryeo Buddhist bell (beomjong) takes the shape of a Silla-period bell. At the top is a dragon-shaped hook (yongnyu) from which the bell hangs, and at the rear a sound tube (yongtong) rises to help the tone resonate. Horizontal bands encircle the body near the top and bottom, both carved with the same lotus-scroll design. Above the point one-third of the way up the body, a rectangular raised panel is set, decorated inside with nine low, projecting lotus-bud bosses. Lower on the body, striking spots (dangjwa) — a feature not found on bells from China or Japan — are placed at two points, front and back. On the body, bodhisattva figures kneeling on lotus-flower cushions with palms joined in prayer are carved facing one another, while the other two faces are decorated with tablet-shaped inscription panels containing Sanskrit letters. According to the inscription, the bell was cast in the third year of Goryeo's King Gojong (1216) and hung at Oeosa Temple, weighing 300 geun (a traditional unit of weight); the record also names its maker, the master craftsman Sun-gwang. Together these details make the bell an important source for studying the development of Goryeo Buddhist bells.

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Where it is

Region

Pohang, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물