Exhibition Room 2

Review of Baekje people ’s handicraft skills, religion and culture Sabi Baekjae and the Great Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner of Baekje

Exhibition Room 2 displays relics dating back from the Baekje Period in three sections.

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Section 1 Relocation of Baekje’s Capital to Sabi and Capital-related Culture

The unearthed relics tell us that the Baekje Dynasty developed its unique culture featuring graciousness and refinement, and that they were contained in its plan for the relocation of the capital to Sabi(present-day Buyeo) and the things associated with the royal capital.

Sansung(Seoul)475년→Woongjin(Gongju)→Sabi(Buyeo) 538년

Why Why was Sabi selected as the new capital?

Whole Buyeo County as seen from satellite

Advantageous conditions for defense provided by the natural surroundings composed of Baengmagang River and Busosan Mountain + Convenient sea routes and wide plains for farming

Relics associated with the royal capital

  • 01 Roof tile with inscription of Chinese characters - “首府”They tell us that royal families and government offices used to exist there.
  • 02 Silver Flower-shaped Crown Ornaments - They were unearthed from the ancient tombs in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo. These types of ornaments were worn by Grade-6 officials or higher.
  • 03 Hoja (Tiger-shaped Urinal for Men) - Height: 26.5cm; length: 26.0cm This object looks like a tiger with its face turned left. The handle on the back is for carrying.
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Would you like to watch a video about King Seong and Sabi, the Capital of Baekje?

Section 2 Temple Site in Neungsan-ri and Great Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje

The temple is said to have been built by King Wideok to pray for the peace of the spirit of his dead father King Seong. The site contains many stories about the relics unearthed there, including the Baekje Gilt Bronze Incense Burner.

Temple Site in Neungsan-ri: a temple belonging to the royal family This site is located between the ancient tombs in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo, and Outer City Wall, Buyeo.

왼쪽 - 부여나성, 오른쪽 - 청산성, 부여나성, 능산리사지, 능산리고분군, 부여나성 The Buyeo National Museum performed an excavation surveyof the site from 1993. The Baekje Gilt Bronze Incense Burner and Stone Reliquary with Inscription of King Chang were unearthed from the site in 1993 and 1995, respectively, rendering importance to the site.

Stone Reliquary with Inscription of King Chang of Baekje

National Treasure No. 288 Stone Reliquary with Inscription of King Chang of Baekje

This object was found from the site of a wooden pagoda on the site of a temple in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo.
A dish for the reliquary is presumed to have existed in the tunnel-type space(measuring 74cm high, 50cm wide, and 45cm deep) but was not found at the time of excavation.

The inscribed Chinese characters on the front and back sides of the object say that the temple was built by King Chang (King Wideok) -- who ascended the throne in 554 -- and his sister in 567, and that his sister presented his sarira to the temple.

The reliquary is the oldest existing one of its kind in Korea. Objects unearthed from the site of a wooden pagoda -- such as Clay Bodhisattva, Gilt-bronze Buddha Plaques, glass beads, Waist belt accessories, and bracelet --
show how sarira was enshrined in the early days of the country.

Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje

Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje(National Treasure No. 287)

Height: 61.8cm; weight: 11.85kg

The incense burner was found from the site of a
workshop on the site of a temple in
Neungsan-ri, Buyeo.

A Boshan incense burner such as this is rarely found
on the Korean Peninsula. Compared to incense burners made in
China, this incense burner showcases exquisite production technique.

The lid of the object displays a heavenly phoenix.
The apex of the object consisting of a pile in five different directions shows people supposedly engaging in mental training and meditation and imaginary animals.

Its body is adorned with figures that look like lotus buds.

The bottom displays a dragon about to fly up to the sky.

Its exquisite and lively portrayal of figures elicits admiration.
This incense burner inherits the tradition of Boshan incense burners originating in China while adding the unique elements of Baekje.

It is a masterpiece cultural heritage featuring nicely arranged shapes.

This incense burner inherits the tradition of Boshan incense burners originating in China while adding the unique elements of Baekje.
It is a masterpiece cultural heritage featuring nicely arranged shapes.

Would you like to watch a video about the Great Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner of Baekje?

Section 3 Culture of Baekje Engraved on Stones and Wood

Characters inscribed on stones and wood unearthed from Buyeo provide us with clues as to how people lived during the Baekje Period.

Sataekjijeok Monument, which displays the sentiment of people of Baekje and nobility’s culture

Height: 102cm; width: 38cm; thickness: 29cm

The monument was discovered from a roadside place in Gwanbuk-ri, Buyeo in 1948. The inscribed characters, which feature graciousness and refinement in shape, are those that were in fashion during the Six Dynasties Period of China. Sataekjijeok, a high-ranking official, set up this monument and built a temple and a pagoda in 654. The content of the inscribed characters shows that he lamented the evanescence of life and intended to devote himself to Buddhism. It tells us about part of the nobility’s spiritual aspect during the Baekje Period.

Exhibition Room 2 displays a wide range of relics, in addition to those introduced just now.

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In Exhibition Room 2, you will see elements of the refined and mature culture of the Royal Capital, which was relocated to Sabi (present-day Buyeo). A leading example of this culture is the Great Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner of Baekje, which is said to be the greatest sculptural masterpiece ever produced in East Asia. The object contains elements related to the Baekje people’s traditional world view and Taoist philosophy. The relic, which was unearthed from Buyeo, provides an opportunity to review the sophisticated handicraft skills, religion and culture of Baekje.

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