The pagoda of Magoksa Temple in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, renowned for its unique shape resembling a tower upon a tower, has been designated as a national treasure.
According to the Korea Heritage Service on the 9th, the 'five-story stone pagoda of Gongju Magoksa' has been designated as a national treasure. This is the elevation to national treasure status approximately 41 years after being designated as a treasure in 1984. Magoksa Temple is one of the sites listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site under 'Historic Monuments and Sites of Korea' and is well known as the headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism's 6th district.
This pagoda, standing tall in the temple courtyard, is presumed to have been built during the late Goryeo period. It consists of a 2-tiered base that supports the entire weight of the pagoda, with a five-story body above it, topped by a gilt-bronze pagoda known as 'Pungmadong,' which measures 1.8 meters in length.
The appearance of a pagoda stacked on top of another pagoda is considered a very special style. In particular, the gilt-bronze pagoda reproduces a style that was popular during the Yuan Dynasty in China, and its manufacturing techniques are regarded as sophisticated with high technical and artistic completeness.
There are no accurate records remaining regarding the construction period of the Magoksa stone pagoda. However, it exhibits the Baekje-style stone pagoda that was prevalent in the Chungcheong and Honam regions during the late Goryeo period, and considering the carving techniques and patterns engraved on the pagoda, it is estimated to have been made around the 14th century.
This pagoda has significant research value from both academic and artistic perspectives. The base stone placed beneath the pagoda to enhance load-bearing capacity features a design called 'haemokhyeong ansang,' which refers to a curved form resembling a crab's eye. This is the first instance discovered in any remaining stone pagoda.
According to explanations from the Korea Heritage Service's national heritage portal, although treasures inside the pagoda were largely stolen during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, incense burners and door handles were discovered during the process of dismantling and repairing the pagoda in 1972.
A representative from the Korea Heritage Service noted, 'It is unique among stone pagodas in our country and holds great value as a cultural heritage that illustrates the international exchange of Buddhist culture during that time.'