Seven-story Stone Pagoda of Naksansa Temple, Yangyang

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.499

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1968

Location

양양군, 강원특별자치도— 강원 양양군 강현면 낙산사로 100, 낙산사 (전진리)

Coordinates

38.124890, 128.627170

The seven-story stone pagoda at Naksansa Temple was originally built as a three-story pagoda but it was rebuilt with its present appearance in 1467, the 13th year of the reign of King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty. During the time of its reconstruction, it is said that a Buddhist rosary and a cintamani were sealed inside. With the change of the governing ideology from Buddhism, which had had a thousand year long history as the state religion, to Confucianism at the foundation of Joseon Dynasty (1392 -1910), Buddhism went into a decline. However, there was no way to stop the formative arts related to Buddhist from disappearing, and so remnants of the Goryeo Dynasty still remained in the early days of Joseon. Therefore, some works in the style of Goryeo and showing the same workmanship were made during the early Joseon period. This pagoda is one example of a Goryeo style pagoda built during early Joseon. The foundation on the square ground stone is carved with 24 lotus petals. The main body is composed of seven stories of core stones and roof stones. A particular feature is a single layer of wide, thick supporting stone placed on the core stone of each story. The square roof stones slope gently and curve swiftly upwards at their corners. The finial, including a long iron stick, which has survived well, is similar to ones found on the Lama Pagodas built during the Yuan Dynasty of ancient China. In general, this pagoda follows the style of Goryeo Dynasty pagodas, but it was built in a much simpler way than they were. The main body can be compared with those of other pagodas such as the Three-story Stone Pagoda at Sinboksa Temple Site, Gangneung (Treasure No. 87) and the Octagonal Nine-story Stone Pagoda of Woljeongsa Temple, Pyeongchang (National Treasure No. 48).

Location