Daeungjeon Hall of Jangansa Temple, Gijang

Jangansa Temple was founded in 673, the 13th year of King Munmu of Unified Silla, by the monk Wonhyo. Its buildings include the Daeungjeon Hall, its central hall, along with Myeongbujeon Hall, Eungjinjeon Hall, and Sansingak Shrine. The construction and renovation dates of the Daeungjeon Hall are clearly established through Kim Bang-han's "Record of the Daeungjeon Hall of Jangansa Temple" and a recently discovered ink inscription, and it is known as the oldest dapo-style building — with bracket sets set not only above the columns but also between them — in the Busan region. The present building was newly built in 1657, the eighth year of King Hyojong of Joseon; the rafters were repaired in 1744, the 20th year of King Yeongjo, and partial repairs were carried out again in 1948 and 1951. It measures three bays across the front and three bays to the side, and is topped with an elaborate hipped-and-gabled roof that forms a figure resembling the Chinese character for "eight" (八) when seen from the side. The bracket sets that support the eaves and decorate the tops of the columns are installed not only above the columns but also between them. Inside the hall, the principal image of Sakyamuni Buddha is flanked by Amitabha Buddha on the right and Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha of Medicine, on the left. The building is relatively tall and solidly constructed, expressing well the imposing dignity befitting the central hall of the temple. It shows stylistic features such as a roof with pronounced upward-curving eaves, the arrangement of bracket sets on the front and rear faces, the composition of the lattice doors and windows in the central and side bays of the front, and a canopy-shaped ceiling (bogae), while its major structural timbers and its dancheong (traditional decorative colouring) still retain their appearance from the time of reconstruction — giving it high historical, architectural, and scholarly value.

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Where it is

Region

Gijang, Busan

Designation

Treasure · 보물