Clay Four Guardian Kings of Songgwangsa Temple, Suncheon

The Clay Four Guardian Kings of Songgwangsa Temple, Suncheon, are made of clay and stand two to a side inside the temple's Cheonwangmun, the Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings. Facing the gate from outside, the right side holds Damun, the Guardian King of the North, carrying a pipa (a lute-like instrument), and Jiguk, the Guardian King of the East, carrying a sword; the left side holds Gwangmok, the Guardian King of the West, carrying a banner (dang), and Jeungjang, the Guardian King of the South, carrying a dragon and a magic jewel. The four are arranged clockwise in the order North, East, South, West. All four figures sit on chairs with the typical wrathful expression of the type, wearing crowns decorated with dragon, phoenix, flower and cloud motifs and armour befitting warrior figures. Each figure's right foot tramples a demon, while the left foot rests on demons who appear to hold it up. The wrathful faces make a strong impression, yet their fine volume gives the carving a striking three-dimensional quality, with a somewhat humorous touch besides. Despite their large scale, the proportions of the body are well judged throughout, and the sense of volume combines with a realistic technique. Compared with the Treasure-designated Four Guardian Kings of Borimsa Temple, Jangheung (early sixteenth century), and of Songgwangsa Temple, Wanju (1649), this set is in no way inferior, and stands out for its sculptural quality. It is also notable for a new iconographic detail: a tiger cub appears among the attributes of the Guardian King of the West in place of the usual stupa, which adds considerable academic value. An ink inscription records that the statues were remade in 1628, the sixth year of King Injo of Joseon, and this is supported by records such as the Songgwangsa History Archive and other temple documents; it is thought that the original statues, damaged during the Jeongyu War of 1597, the second Japanese invasion of Korea, were remade in that year.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Suncheon, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물