Namdaemun

 

 Called Sungnyemun (Gate for Courtesy and Respect), the Great South Gate was the main gate in the capital city during the Choson dynasty. It was first built in 1398 A.D., in the 7th year of King Taejo's reign. This wooden structure stands on a large stone base and the center of the stone infrastructure is pierced by a round-arched gate below the wooden pavilion. This is a typical example of early Choson wooden architecture and is an outstanding piece of workmanship.

 

 

 

 

Inspection Tour Monument for King Chinhung on Mt. Pukhan

 

The monument stood on a cliff at Mt. Pukhan, 556m high, north of Seoul, facing south. It was erected by King Chinhung to commemorate his inspection tour of the region. It is one of the five monuments and discovered up to this time, which were erected by King Chinhung. Unlike the other four, it is rectangular and polished and stood on a double-tiered base carved out of natural rock.

 

 

 

 

 

Seven-Storied Pagoda in Tappyong-ri, Chungwon

 

 This is the tallest extant stone pagoda among the pagodas of the Shilla period. In the minute techniques, there seems to be a tendency towards delicacy. The whole appearance of this stone pagoda is tall and slender because of the lack of a harmonized ratio between its height and width. This pagoda is also known as Chungangtab (Central Pagoda) because this is situated in the central region of Korea.

 

 

 

 

Stele of Honggyong Temple in Pongson

 

 

The monument, erected in 1021 A.D., has both a tortoise foundation and a capstone, and is inscribed with the history of Honggyong Temple.

 

 

 

 

 

Vessel in the Shape of Warrior on Horseback

 

 A clay figurine in full dress with a triangular hat is on horseback with full harnesses. The horse has a cup-shaped funnel on its hips and a long tube spout in its breast. The tail is designed as a grip for the whole vessel. Although the short legs with hoofed feet were crudely formed, the head and hip are realistically expressed. The mouth and nose of its face represents the particular nature of a horse. The vessel, found in Kyongju in 1924 A.D., is regarded as a rare masterpiece among those of the Three Kingdoms period.
Technical styles for figurine and horse vessels are all the same, except that the figurine has a different hat with a stalk on top and has a bell on the right hand with a money sack on the shoulder. Judging from the way the sack is carried, the figurine is believed to be a servant for the other figurine.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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