Temple Site in Gunsu-ri, Buyeo

This is the site of a Baekje-period temple in Gunsu-ri, Buyeo; the temple's name has not survived. It was surveyed by Japanese researchers in 1935, revealing a layout in which the middle gate, wooden pagoda, main hall and lecture hall were arranged in a single line running north to south — a one-pagoda, one-main-hall plan. This was the first time such a layout had been confirmed at a Baekje temple site, establishing that the middle gate, wooden pagoda, main hall and lecture hall stood on a single axis. The foundation of the main hall site is notable for being built up with roof tiles, and artefacts were recovered evenly across the site. A fragment of a gilt-bronze crown was found south of the lecture hall site; around the main hall and pagoda sites about 1,150 pieces of jade were unearthed; and west of the main hall a gilt-bronze bell and shoe-shaped metal fittings came to light. Many other artefacts were also recovered, including box-shaped bricks finely carved with lotus and vine patterns, a gold ring and small beads. At the centre of the wooden pagoda were found the standing gilt-bronze Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gunsu-ri, the seated stone Buddha of Gunsu-ri, a seven-branched sword, iron nails, a three-legged earthenware vessel and other pottery. Of these the seven-branched sword is of particular note: it has three blades branching from each side of a central blade, giving seven blades in all. A similar Baekje seven-branched sword survives in Japan, evidence of one strand of cultural exchange between Baekje and Japan.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Buyeo, Chungnam

Designation

Historic Site · 사적