Gapsa Sojoseokgayeoraesambuljwasangㆍsabosaripsang Mit Reliquary Objects, Gongju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2076

Category

Sculpture

Era

1617년(광해군 9)

Designated year

2020

Location

공주시, 충청남도— 충청남도 공주시 갑사로 567-3 (계룡면)

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

Clay Seated Sakyamuni Buddha Triad, Four standing Bodhisattvas and excavated Relics of Gapsa Temple is a total of seven Buddha/ Bodhisattva statues made by nine monk sculptors including the leader Haengsa in 1617 (the 9th year of King Gwanghae’s reign). These statutes are believed to be the largest and the best in quality among the Buddha/ Bodhisattva statues made after the Imjin War (1592-1598). The Buddha statues are 2.5 m in height, and the Bodhisattva statues are about 2 m in height. Both of them appear awe-inspiring in stature. These precede the other clay-made, large-sized Buddha statues made in the early 17th century and are thought to be a reference for works of this type made in the late Joseon Dynasty Period. The letter of prayer concerning the construction of the statues found inside them provides information on when they were built (1617), the names of the builders, including Haengsa, and the number of benefactors of the work (2,300-plus people). The information reveals that it was a construction project on the grandest of scales in the late Joseon Dynasty Period. Haengsa inherited the sculpture tradition from monks Seokjun, Wono, and Gakmin, who carried out activities between the late 16th century and the late 17th century. These artifacts can be said to be one of the most monumental works made with their participation. The inverted triangle-shaped faces and prominent noses portray the features of works by Haengsa. The awe-inspiring posture, the steady body proportions, the facial expressions full of vigor show the prevailing characteristics of massive Buddha statues made after the Imjin War. The fact that leading monk sculptor of that era including Sumun, Hyeonjin, Eungwon, Bomnyeong provided support for the work reveals how monk sculptors cooperated and interacted with each other.