Reliquaries from the Five-story Brick Pagoda of Songnimsa Temple, Chilgok

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.325

Category

Craft

Designated year

1963

Location

수성구, 대구광역시— 대구 수성구 청호로 321, 국립대구박물관 (황금동,국립대구박물관)

Coordinates

35.845859, 128.637925

Songnimsa Temple was built in the fifth year of the reign of King Jinheung of Silla in order to enshrine the Buddha's sarira which was brought from China by Buddhist Monk Myeonggwan. In this temple, there is a five-story brick pagoda (Treasure No. 189), one of the rare brick pagodas remaining in Korea. When it was dismantled for repair in 1959, many relics were found inside. In the first story, there were two wood, two stone, and two bronze Buddha statues. In the second story, there were remains from the Silla Dynasty, which are the most notable. These were a gilt-bronze stupa which was made of thin gold plate with delicate decoration, a long-necked sarira bottle made of green glass, and glasses with jade and pearls attached. These were in a tortoise-shaped stone case. In the third story, there was a stone box with a wooden lid that contained some decomposed papers. The over-turned bowl on the roof stone of the fifth story contained a round-shaped inlaid celadon case and two gilt-bronze ear ornaments. The inlaid celadon case is decorated with chrysanthemums and vine patterns. In view of the pattern and the glaze, it is an outstanding work of the late 12th century, the time of the flourishing of inlaid celadon. In addition, there were 281 beads, 15 silver rings, 7 aromatic woods, and one seed of a boa tree. Considering the fact that various remains of United Silla and Goryeo are found in one pagoda, it is clear that there have been several periods of repair. The gilt-bronze stupa and sarira bottle in the tortoise-shaped box are rare, and valuable as historic material.

Location