Bongseonsa Bronze Bell, Namyangju

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.354

Category

Craft

Era

1469년(조선 예종 1)

Designated year

2026

Location

남양주시, 경기도— 경기 남양주시 진접읍 봉선사길 32, 봉선사 (부평리)

Coordinates

37.733700, 127.182600Museum-based location

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

Bronze Bell of Bongseonsa Temple, Namyangju. The bronze bell of Bongseonsa Temple in Namyangju was cast and enshrined by Joseon's 8th king, Yejong, who founded Bongseonsa Temple near the royal tomb of King Sejo to pray for the late king's repose, making it the largest extant royal patronage bell of the early Joseon period. While partially incorporating the style of Chinese Buddhist bells — double-dragon crown finial and hemispherical canopy plate — it simultaneously expresses traditional Korean elements: Bodhisattva relief figures, six-syllable Sanskrit mantra inscription, and wave-pattern decorations. The casting inscription composed by Gang Hui-maeng and calligraphed by Jeong Nan-jong records the creation background, production date, place of enshrinement, and craftsmen, some of whom also participated in creating other early Joseon bells. Among large royal-patronage bells of the early Joseon period, this bell is uniquely preserved in its original location at the bell pavilion of Bongseonsa Temple without ever having been moved, with virtually no casting cracks or structural defects and in excellent condition. It stands as the defining standard work for the stylistic history of Joseon-period Buddhist bells.

Location