Stone Seated Bodhisattva from Hansongsa Temple Site, Gangneung

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.124

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1967

Location

춘천시, 강원특별자치도— 강원 춘천시 우석로 70, 국립춘천박물관 (석사동,국립춘천박물관)

Coordinates

37.863981, 127.753878

Originally kept at the Hansongsa Temple site, this piece was taken to Japan in 1912 and returned to Korea following the signing of the Korea-Japan Treaty on Basic Relations of 1965. It is in relatively good condition, except for the trace of reattaching the head torn off from the body and the white hair on the forehead, which is gone. The statue wears a very tall, cylinder-shaped crown, with usnisa (a protuberance symbolizing supreme wisdom) placed atop the crown. The square-shaped face wears a tender smile and has half-closed eyes. The neck shows three thick lines. A three-lined necklace hangs down to the chest. The robe is inscribed with wrinkles that look soft and natural. The right hand holds a lotus branch up to the chest. The left hand is placed on the thigh. The forefingers of both hands are fully extended outward. As for the position of the feet, the right foot is placed behind the left one. These foot positions are the opposite of its twin (Treasure No.81) found from the same temple. This statue, made of white marble, is distinguished from the other stone statues found in Korea, which are mostly made of granite stone. The texture of the material used, along with the sculpture technique, gives a graceful, warm impression. Overall, the body looks plump and exhibits mature and exquisite sculpture technique. The cylinder-shaped crown, the plump face, and the gentle smile are features shared by those of the Stone Seated Bodhisattva at Sinboksa Temple Site, Gangneung and Stone Seated Bodhisattva of Woljeongsa Temple, Pyeongchang (Treasure Nos. 84 and 139, respectively). Note, however, that this one exhibits a sculpture technique that is one notch higher than that of the former. This one was presumed to date back to the 10th Century during the early Goryeo Period (877-1392).

Location