Wooden Munmuin Statue

These are two figures carved from the wood of the hwaenamu (Chinese scholar tree), with a muin, or military official, statue on the left and a munin, or civil official, statue on the right. The head of each figure takes up about half of its overall height; only the left hand is shown, the right being hidden inside the sleeve. The munin statue depicts an official wearing a large official's cap, smiling benevolently with one hand grasping his beard; his large, clear features give an open, genial impression. The muin statue takes the form of a general wearing a helmet topped with a trident. It appears to have once held an object in its left hand, now lost. It too wears a hearty, laughing expression, conveying a strong sense of masculinity. The pair is thought to date from the late Joseon period and is presumed to be closely connected with the folk beliefs native to this area.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Provincial Folklore Heritage · 시도민속문화유산