Namhae Yongmunsa Temple Bronze Banja

This circular bronze banja, a flat gong struck during Buddhist temple ceremonies, has an open centre on its reverse side, leaving a rim about 10 cm wide, which gives it a form similar to a jing, or gong. The surface is divided by three raised ridges; the inner zone, being the area that is struck, shows considerable wear. There is a repair mark about 10 cm long on the edge of the front face, and a broken hole is visible on the side. The front of the banja is divided by the three concentric raised ridges into an inner, a middle and an outer zone. The three ridges rise clearly above the surface. The inner and middle zones are undecorated, but the outer zone bears five evenly spaced circular motifs, 7.4 cm in diameter, each composed of a Sanskrit seed-syllable set within a lotus-petal roundel. The side of the banja is likewise encircled by three raised ridges, and three semicircular loop-handles are set at regular intervals; these loops were cast separately and attached. The reverse is incised with six concentric circles, spaced irregularly.

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Where it is

Region

Namhae, Gyeongnam

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료