Gwisinsa Sojobirojanasambul Seated Figure, Gimje

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1516

Category

Sculpture

Era

1624년-1633년경

Designated year

2007

Location

김제시, 전북특별자치도— 전북 김제시 금산면 청도6길 40, 귀신사 (청도리)

Coordinates

35.745153, 127.046826

In this Clay Seated Vairocana Triad, the Buddha of All-pervading Light, is flanked by Bhaisajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Paradise. This is one of the large clay Buddha images produced during the 17th century after the Japanese Invasions of 1592-1598. Impressive in size and carving technique, it shows influences from the early 17th-century style of Ming China but also attests to the effort of Korean Buddhist sculptors to establish a new style of their own. The large statues, though overwhelming, have gentle facial expressions and long torsos, resulting in elegant and dignified appearances standing for the Buddha nature. Particularly, the Vairocana at the center echoes the Chinese style of the Ming period in terms of its long torso and hand gesture symbolizing knowledge, called vajra mudra, enclosing the left hand with the right hand and stretching the left index finger toward the first joint of the right one. The dedication statement of the Nahanjeon Hall of Gwisinsa, dated 1633, says this triad was made before that year. The temple underwent overall repair in 1624, according to Jeonju Moaksan Gwisinsa sajeok sain (Records of Gwisinsa Temple in Moaksan Mountain, Jeonju), written by Buddhist Monk Jasu (1664-1737). Hence it is presumed that the images were made between 1624 and 1633. Also reflecting the trend of clay Buddha images of the early 17th century are two seated Buddha triads: one at Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan Mountain (Treasure No. 1360) and and one at Songgwangsa Temple in Wanju (Treasure No. 1274).

Location