• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.62-78
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• 2023

The act of burning incense originated from Buddhist rituals and customs, and gradually formed its own culture. In the Goryeo Dynasty, in addition to religious and national rituals, incense came to be enjoyed more generally and widely. In particular, Goryeo literati enjoyed the elegant lifestyle of staying home and burning incense. This was part of a regional culture shared across East Asia. Such incense burning applied the same methods as were used during the same period in China. In collections of writings from the Goryeo Dynasty, it can be seen that incense methods such as gyeok-hwa-hoon-hyang (隔火熏香) and jeon-hyang (篆香) were used. A particular method of incense influenced the size and shape of the incense burner utilized. Small incense burners suitable for simple everyday incense were used, such as the hyangwan (香垸), a cup (wine glass)-shaped burner. White porcelain incense burners from Song were discovered in Gaegyeong, and celadon incense burners from Goryeo were made in the same shape. This phenomenon shows that there was great demand for ceramic incense burners in Goryeo in the 12th and 13th centuries. During this period, incense burners that imitated metalware were produced, and some applied the techniques and patterns of Goryeo celadon. The Goryeo Dynasty-era incense burner was basically a necessity for use in various rituals, but gradually came to be widely used also by individuals.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.22-36
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• 2024

In 1993, a large number of relics was found in Cheongju Sanesa Buddhist Temple. They show superiority as bronze-based products, and are especially important in since they provide much information about the time of their creation. However, there are many opinions about the time they were hoarded: in the middle of the 13^th century, late in the 13^th century, early in the 14^th century, etc. This study estimates the time they were hoarded to be some time in April 1291 during the invasion of Kădīn (哈丹) in the Yuan Dynasty. Kădīn's troops invaded the Goryeo Dynasty, then went through Yangpyeong and Wonju in January 1291 and appeared in Yeongi-hyeon on May 1 of that year. Based on records, this study verified that the troops passed through Cheongju on their way from Chungju to Yeongi-hyeon (currently Sejong-si) and pointed out that the invasion route of the troops was the background for the hoarding of Sanesa relics. The estimation that the Sanesa relics were hoarded in 1291 when Kădīn's invasion was going on makes it possible to reasonably clear up the era of the relics in which the Heavenly Stems called gānzhī (干支) Muo (戊午), Gyeongshin (庚申), Giyu(己酉) etc. were written. That is, Giyu Geumgo is presumed to be the year 1249, Muo Hyangro 1258, Gyeongshin Hyangwan 1260, etc.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.18-41
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• 2017

The Gangjin WolnamSaji(月南寺址) is a small site where three-story pagodas and a destroyed tombstone remained. In 1973, it was discovered that the destroyed tombstone was that of the second master of Susunsa, Hye shim(慧諶), who had a special relationship with the military regime in Goryeo, and it once again attracted attention as a result of the recent excavation of the Rooftile of Yeonhwamun(蓮花文). In particular, the Windchime excavated in 2012 is a large-sized one group with a length of 23cm, and a relatively large Sanskrit character was decorated on four sides of the body. In addition, it was also confirmed in preservation process that the word 'gaecheon(盖天)' was engraved. The Sanskrit characters(梵字) om( , oṃ), a( , a), hum( , hūṃ), brum( , bhrūṃ) were decorated on the body of the Wind-chime excavated in WolnamSaji. Om( , oṃ), a( , a), hum( , hūṃ) are known as the Sammiljineon(三密眞言) and brum( , bhrūṃ) has the meaning of having the highest honor. In addition, the Sammiljineon(三密眞言) allows us to understand the truth by responding to the principle of universe, which is the Vairocana Buddha(毘盧遮那佛), and brum( , bhrūṃ) has the meaning of unity. In the end, the meaning of the Sanskrit decorating the four sides of the Wind-chime, of WolnamSaji(月南寺址), can be interpreted as the expression of the Buddha's doctrine, or the willingness to be combined with Buddha, the highest existence in itself. It is possible that the word 'gaecheon(盖天)' carved on the body can be regarded as the name of the master craftsman related to the making of the Wind-chime, but it is unlikely that it is the name of the master craftsman, considering that it is a place where the location is not easily seen. If so, you can think of the original function that the Wind-chime has. In other words, it can be interpreted symbolically and implicitly that the wish of the sound of the airwaves symbolized by the words of the Buddha covers the sky and spreads all over the place. It is thought that the Wind-chime excavated in WolnamSaji(月南寺址) was made in the mid to late 13th century considering the comparisons with another wind-chime excavated from the temple site, the historical situation in the late Goryeo, the publication date of the scriptures(經典) of Esoteric Buddhism(密敎).