Frontal View of the Bronze Bell of Naesosa Temple, BuanDongjong, referred to as the copper bell, inside Bojonggak Pavilion designated as Treasure No. 277. Naesosa Temple is located in Seokpo-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun.
Bell Pavilion in Naesosa Temple, Buan-gun Bojonggak, the bell pavilion, containing a copper bell, in Naesosa Temple is designated as Treasure No. 277. Behind the pavilion, Gwaneumbong Peak is visible.
Close-range View of Bronze Bell of Naesosa Temple, BuanThis photo shows the bronze bell of Naesosa Temple in Seokpo-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun. The bell bears the illustration of the Buddha Triad on the cloud, consisting of the principal statue seated on the full-blown lotus flower flanked by standing attendant Bodhisattva statues.
CategoryCultural Heritage / Tangible Cultural Heritage
Korean부안 내소사 동종
Chinese扶安來蘇寺銅鍾
Nickname청림사 동종
FieldReligion / Buddhism
Contents TypeArtifact / Artifact (General)
Current Location243, Naesosa-ro Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Original Location415, Namseondong-gil Sangseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Definition
A Bronze Bell of the late Goryeo period located at Naesosa Temple in Seokpo-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do.
Summary
The Bronze Bell of Naesosa Temple was made in 1222 at Cheongnimsa Temple on Naebyeonsan Mountain (#415 Cheongnim-ri, Sangseo-myeon, Buan-gun). Following the closure of the temple at an unknown date, the bell remained buried underground until 1850, when it was unearthed and moved to the bell house (Bojonggak) of Saesosa Temple. The bell exhibits the features of traditional Korean Buddhist temple bells, including eumtong (the sound tube), yongnyu (dragon loop), four yugwak, each with nine yudu, and dangjwa (striking point), combined with the features of late Goryeo bells, such as the serrated floral crown placed above sangdae (the bell’s upper belt). Widely regarded as a masterpiece that combines characteristic elements of Korean traditional temple bells with those of the late Goryeo period, the bell was designated as Treasure No. 277 on January 21, 1963.
Forms
The Bronze Bell of Naesosa Temple, which has a height of 104㎝ and a circumference of 67㎝ at the mouth, features upper and lower belts decorated with vine designs and floral ornaments engraved in relief. Below the upper belt are four milk boxes, each containing nine protruding nipples. The bell’s striking points, arranged in the four cardinal directions, are decorated with a lotus motif, while its central section is engraved with Buddhist Triad consisting of the Shakyamuni Buddha seated on a fully bloomed lotus pedestal, flanked by two attendants shrouded by auspicious clouds. The bell is topped with a sound tube and a loop in the shape of a dragon’s head. With its characteristic elements of Korean traditional temple bells such as an elaborate design, Bronze Bell of Naesosa Temple is the mark of the masterpieces of the late Goryeo period.
Characteristics
The Bronze Bell of Naesosa Temple is comparatively small and has a serrated band of floral ornamentation around its crown, a unique feature of temple bells of the late Goryeo period.
The Bronze Bell of Naesosa Temple is regarded as an outstanding example of a traditional Korean temple bell with elaborate ornamentation and a masterpiece of the late Goryeo period.