Bronze Banja of Hwabangsa Temple, Namhae

This circular bronze banja, also called a geumgu or geumgo, is a type of Buddhist ritual implement used to summon the congregation or announce urgent matters. The Hwabangsa banja follows the common form, with the back left open. The area struck with the mallet (dangmok) is worn, and traces of repair on the inside suggest that it was mended on two or more occasions. As for its features, the front is divided by two raised concentric ridges into an inner and an outer zone. The inner zone bears no decoration, while the outer zone alone is stamped in four places with circular Sanskrit-character (beomja) medallions 7.8 cm in diameter; overall, these features resemble the banja of Yongmunsa Temple in Namhae. However, the Yongmunsa banja lacks the dignity and refinement of the Hwabangsa piece, suggesting that it was made at a later date. The side of the banja likewise carries four raised ridges, as on the front: the first three are set close together, while the last is set apart, and on this wider band three loops were separately cast and attached for hanging the banja on its stand.

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Where it is

Region

Namhae, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산