국립중앙박물관 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

Highlights
Rubbed Copy of the Epitaph on the Monument at Galhangsa Temple
  • Nationality/Period

    Joseon Dynasty

  • Materials

    Paper

  • Category

    Culture / Art - Letter & Paintings - rock engraving - pagoda

  • Dimensions

    80.3x33.3cm

  • Accession Number

    Deoksu 5844

These two sheets of paper are rubbed copies of the epitaphs on a pair of stone pagodas at the Galhangsa Temple site on the western foot of Geumosan Mountain near Gimcheon. According to the epitaphs, the stone pagodas were erected in 758 (the 17th year of the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla), but it is presumed that the epitaphs were inscribed after the reign of King Wonseong of Silla (r. 785-798). These rubbings are regarded as precious since they are associated with a very rare case of inscribing epitaphs directly on the stone pagoda dating back to the Unified Silla period and for using Chinese characters to transcribe Korean sounds but with corresponding meaning values.