Monday 5 June 2017

Buyeo National Museum (국립부여박물관) and Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs (부여 능산리 고분군)

 Another last two tourist attractions to visit in Buyeo after Jeongnimsa Temple.

Previously, Buyeo Museum was at the foot of Buso Mountain before 
moving to the current location.

 Buyeo National Museum was reopened in August 1993 at this building.

Curious Zhi just reading the information in English.

Giant Pedestals and Capstone. 

 This museum is housing Baekje Incense Burner,
National Treasure of Korea no 287.

 This masterpiece was excavated from the site of a temple site near 
Baekje royal tombs in Neungsanri among others 450 artifacts.

This gilt bronze burner was probably made in the 6th century. 
This burner of about 12kg and 64 cm tall is a symbol of the artistry of the Baekje people.

The incense burner can be classified in four parts: the body, lid, 
the phoenix-shaped knob, and the support plate.

The lid is encircled by 74 mountains thinly cast in five layers reaching the top. The lid also contains various figures cast in relief including five musicians with different instruments, sixteen other figures, and thirty-nine animals including tigers, dragons, and deer. The lid also has different kinds of scenery including six types of trees, boulders, trails, waterfalls, and lakes which may symbolize the ideal landscape of a Taoist hermit. 

Five birds sit at the top of the five highest peaks of the mountain, and the top of the lid is crowned with a dragon. The lid is also ventilated with five holes, one in the chest of the phoenix, to release the scent of the incense.  

The top of the lid is capped with a bonghwang (phoenix) which holds a magic pearl. The tail of the bonghwang curves out in an arching fashion.  The body of the burner is shaped in the form of a blossoming lotus. The petals of the lotus also contain twenty-six animals on the lateral surface including fish, heavenly beasts, and birds. Some of the animals rest between the lotus petals, while others are top.  

The support plate is in the shape of a dragon with its mouth facing the base of the body which it supports. The dragon is surrounded by a blowing bronze motif of clouds, and its own tail is arched, giving the base a sense of movement. (Source: Wikipedia)

 Gilt Bronze Standing Avalokitesvara (National treasure No. 293).

You can find this‘Smile of Baekje (백제의미소)’ in the museum at Buddhist Art Hall. Didn't manage to take photo because it's surrounded by people to see the details of the statue.

Friendly smile and the proportion of the body, smooth and realistic sculpture technique are the evidence that it is from the Baekje era.
 Stone Basin of Buyeo (Treasure No. 194).

 
Monument of Yu Inwon from Tang Dynasty (Treasure No. 21).

 There are actually lots of things displayed in this museum, and our guide
was explaining to us... just that we didn't understand.

 We just browsing around and read the information boards...

Giant replica of the incense burner, 
too bad it's not clear as the bus was moving.

The last stop was Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs where 
the Baekje Incense Burner was discovered...

 This Historical Site No. 14 is located just outside of the eastern part of
Naseong City Wall which was constructed to defend the capital.

This City wall surrounded Buyeo and the wall protected the northern  and eastern parts of the city, stemming from Busosanseong Fortress.

Royal Tombs in Neungsan-ri is a cluster of tombs for royal family during Sabi period of Baekje Kingdom (538-660) when Baekje moved its capital from Ungjin (now Gongju) to Sabi (now Buyeo).

These 7 tombs shows the typical stone chamber tomb of 
the latter period of Baekje.

Because there's not much details or name stated on the tombs, 
so they're known as Tomb 1 to Tomb 7. 

Tomb 1 - 3 on the first row from East to West, then 4 - 6 from West to East and the last tomb was on the middle of the top row.

Unfortunately, before excavated most of the artifacts were stolen and only
left few archaeological findings, such as gilt-bronze skull ornaments and waist belts.

 The giant tomb in Neungsan-ri quite similar to tumulus in Gyeongju.

The huge burial chamber located in the top central is considered royal tomb
 of Sabi king considering the size, sitting on the southern part of the mountain 
(121m high) with good fengshui and geographical condition.

According to our guide, this spot is perfect to capture
these 7 tombs. Thank you for snapping this beautiful photo for us.

 Model of Neungsanri Tomb No. 1 as the original tomb is closed
for preservation of its mural paintings as it's faded and 
discolouring after opening to public for viewings.

Murals of four Gods of Death (Blue Dragon, White Tiger, 
Red Chinese Phoenix and black Tortoise) were drawn on the wall and 
the ceiling was decorated with lotus blossoms and cloud patterns mural.

This provide essential resources for research on paintings from the Baekje Period.
For more information on others tombs, please check this link.

Please beware of the low ceiling~!

 In the 1990s, the Great Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of the Baekje 
was discovered at a temple site to the west of the Royal Tombs in Neungsan-ri, 
along with stone sarira reliquaries that were produced in 567.

These discoveries reconfirmed that the tombs in Neungsan-ri belonged to the royal family of the Baekje during the Sabi Period.

Walking to Royal Tombs.

 


Busosan Jeongnimsa Temple Site.

The Altar of King Uija.

 Our guide did tell us about the history, but I caught no ball.
So I googled it for you if you're interested to know more of King Uija

Uija and the crown prince escaped to Gongju, but surrendered when Sabi fell. He was taken to Tang along with his sons Buyeo Hyo and Buyeo Yung, 88 retainers, and 12,807 Baekje commoners.

  In 2000, his remains were retrieved from 
China and buried in a new tomb here in Neungsan-ri.

 Baekje Gobun Miniature Museum and see the whole Baekje
in miniature and the guide pointed all the places we
visited earlier including Neungsan-ri. 

That's the last itinerary of Buyeo Tour. The bus dropped us off at Gongju station,
but some of them alighted at Buyeo KTO Office.

We thought to visit Baekje Cultural Land, but because my
daughter's shoes spoil, we made our trip back to Jeonju. 

It's a nice tour to give some insight of Baekje spectacular culture. Buyeo itself is like a museum without roof with 234 ruins and relics hidden in every corner of the city. 

I'd recommend you to embark on Hwangpo sailboat to cruise along picturesque and peaceful Baengmagang River. FYI, Hwangpo sailboat will be one of the unique methods for torch relaying for upcoming Pyeongchang Olympics 2018.