Yongdasa Temple Bronze Bell

This bronze bell was first cast in 1787, the eleventh year of King Jeongjo of Joseon, at Yongdasa Temple on Yonghwasan Mountain in Hwacheon. It was later donated to Simgoksa Temple in Yanggu in 1878, the fifteenth year of Emperor Gojong, and at some unknown point afterwards came to be kept at Guryongsa Temple in Wonju. From 1977 it was displayed at a local history museum in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, before being moved to Woljeongsa Temple in September 1999, where it is now on display at the Seongbo Museum. At the crown of the bell is an omega-shaped hook formed as a single body with two dragon heads facing in opposite directions. The crown plate is hemispherical and is marked off from the body of the bell by a single raised band; around the dragon hook a lotus design is carved in relief, though rather crudely. The body of the bell is divided into four sections by only three raised bands and is otherwise left plain, lacking any of the usual decoration such as upper and lower borders, standing bodhisattva figures, or nipple panels. It can therefore be described as an extremely degenerate example of form among Joseon-period bells. It nevertheless holds important significance in bearing inscriptions — in Hangeul near the top of the body and in Chinese characters near the bottom. The Chinese-character inscription at the bottom is a casting record from when the bell was first made, while the Hangeul inscription at the top is a votive prayer text written when it was later donated.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Pyeongchang, Gangwon

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산