Seoksu-dong Rock-carved Jong

Carved into the face of a huge rock near the flagpole supports, a Treasure, of the Jungchosa Temple Site, this is an image of a Buddhist bell, or beomjong, and is the only majaejong (rock-carved bell) in Korea. The Seoksu-dong rock-carved bell is of great documentary value, for it shows not only the form of the bell itself but also how bronze bells were actually used in ancient times. Carved shallowly into the rock face are a bell hung by iron chains from a rectangular wooden frame, and beside it a monk standing facing forward, holding a dangmok (a wooden striking beam used to strike the bell) as if ready to strike it. The bell shows two yugwak, raised panels of bosses, implying two more on the unseen rear face, and the striking spot is carved as a circle in the centre and half-circles at each end, implying four in total. The hanging loop and sound tube, formed as a single dragon with its face turned downward, and the yugwak containing nine nipple-shaped bosses, are typical features of Unified Silla bronze bells. However, the striking spots have increased to four, and the graceful outline seen in the jar-like shape of Unified Silla bells is absent. The Seoksu-dong rock-carved bell can thus be presumed to be a work of the early Goryeo period, made reflecting Unified Silla style before the Goryeo style had fully taken shape.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Anyang, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산