Gilt-bronze Celestial Chart of Tongdosa Temple, Yangsan

On the front of this gilt-bronze celestial chart of Tongdosa Temple, Yangsan, the constellations from the celestial north pole out to around the celestial equator are shown in a circular arrangement centred on the north pole, and the circle of circumpolar stars (the region always visible above the horizon) is drawn as a circle 19 cm in diameter. The shapes and positions of the constellations broadly match those on the Cheonsang yeolcha bunyajido (Celestial Chart) of the early Joseon period; the constellations marked on the bronze plate are the 109 considered most important among all the stars on the Cheonsang yeolcha bunyajido, the Purple Tenuity Enclosure and the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, with 481 stars in total. Each constellation has its stars linked by lines, and a hole was drilled at every single star and fitted with a pearl, so that the whole was beautifully assembled. Only twenty-four pearls now survive, of various sizes such as 0.5 cm and 0.7 cm, set into the holes according to the star. Apart from the constellations, three holes are set in a straight line near the centre of the disc and at its outer left and right edges; these would have made it possible to work out the chart's orientation even in the dark and to feel out the Twenty-Eight Mansions and other constellations by hand, so that one could look up at the sky and find each constellation. This chart, made so that faint light could be shone on the pearls to help locate and learn the constellations by actual observation of the stars, may be regarded as a scientific artefact designed to be portable and convenient to use. On the back, incised in dot engraving, is a depiction of Mount Songak, showing its five peaks and two pine trees, with the sea rendered beneath; this gives it research value not only as a traditional craft object of artistic merit but also in the history of painting and of ideas. An inscription incised in the lower right reads, "Made in the ninth month of the imjin year, the ninth year of Shunzhi, by the nun Seonhwaja of Munjuam Hermitage on Samgaksan Mountain," from which it can be seen that this celestial chart was made in 1652, the third year of King Hyojong of Joseon, by the nun Seonhwaja.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yangsan, Gyeongnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물