Stone Gwibu of Gagyeonsa Temple, Goesan

Gagyeonsa Temple is said to have been founded by State Preceptor Yuil during the reign of King Beopheung of Silla, though the rafter-raising record of Gagyeonsa's Daeungjeon Hall states that it was founded during the reign of King Gyeongsun of Silla; ink writing found on a beam of the Birojeon Hall records that it was renovated during the reign of King Hyejong of Goryeo (943–945). This stone gwibu — a turtle-shaped stone base that supports a memorial stele — is turned about 30 degrees off the north–south axis, towards the northwest–southeast direction. The stele body (bishin) and the dragon-carved capstone (isu) have both been lost, and only the turtle-shaped base survives. The base is carved from the same block as its square pedestal stone. The four legs are rendered vigorously and full of life, with sharp claws. The tortoise-shell pattern on the back is symmetrical left and right, made up of modified square and hexagonal cells, each decorated inside with a modified oval flower motif. The neck and head were carved separately to be fitted into the body but are now lost; where the neck joins the back, a lotus-flower design has been carved. The stele seat (bijwa) is rectangular, decorated with elaborate cloud patterns and blind niches (ansang, a stylised cusped-panel motif), with a raised moulding worked below it. Judging from the vigorous, lifelike body, the form of the tortoise-shell pattern and its flower motifs, the cloud pattern and blind niches on the stele seat, and the technique of carving the head separately for fitting, this stone gwibu is presumed to date from the early Goryeo period. Because the stele body of the Gagyeonsa stone gwibu has been lost, the text of its inscription cannot be known, so it cannot be determined whether it was a memorial stele for an eminent monk or a stele recording the history of the site. Even so, the carving technique on every part of the base is of outstanding quality, giving it considerable value.

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Where it is

Region

Goesan, Chungbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산