Gyeongju: millennium capital of Silla reinvented in Joseon

The ancient Silla Kingdom lasted for nearly 1,000 years from 57 BC to AD 935, centered around its capital city Gyeongju.
Known for its vibrant cultural relics includingUNESCO World Heritage sitesBulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto as well as the symbolic golden crowns and tombs, thehistoric city Gyeongjuhas been recognized as where a glimpse is allowed into the ancient civilization of the Silla Dynasty.

Historic records, however, say that Gyeongju did not fade into the mists of history but gained attention once again in theJoseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Gyeongju National Museum opened a special exhibition on September 17 to reinvent the city that created cultural uniqueness in the days of Joseon on the basis of its long-lasting traditions.

An image of Gyeongju included in the map Yeodo in the 18th century. With passage of time, Gyeongju has transformed into a city known for academic development and a large number of Confucian academies called Seowon (photo shown above).

In the early days of Joseon Dynasty, Yi Seong-gye, founder and the first king, established pavilions in some principal regions to enshrine "Eo Jin", or portraits of kings, as part of an effort to display the power and dignity of the royal family. Along with Hamheung, where he was born, andJeonju, the cradle of the dynasty, Gyeongju's Jipgyeongjeon Pavilion has been chosen.

Most of the cultural assets known to this day are said to have taken shape in Joseon times. A number of them were destroyed in wars early on in the dynasty but were restored in the 17th century that include Bulguksa Temple, Bunhwangsa Temple, and Seokguram Grotto. In addition, theKing Seongdeok Divine Bell, known for its beautiful sound and luxurious patterns, would not have been preserved without the help of the Joseon people.

The special exhibition looks at the cultural ideology that was in full bloom in Gyeongju for 500 years of Joseon history. The materials showcased at the exhibition include records related to scholar Kim Si-seup (1435-1493) who created Korea's first novel written in classic ChineseGeumo Sinhwa(Myth of Mt. Geumosan), and Joseon's noted calligrapher Kim Jeong-hee (1786-1856) who, as a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan, studied epigraph materials of the Silla Dynasty. The exhibition also provides a chance to have a peek into the writings and handwritings ofConfucianist Lee Eon-jeok(1491-1553) that have been preserved at theOksan Seowonbuilt in 1572.

From left: the ancestral tablet symbolizes a king, which was worshipped on memorial days by retainers and the people; Gyeongju buyun (county governors in Gyeongju) wore the helmet and armor when leading troops; people in Gyeongju believed that the jade flute would bring luck and peace to their nation.

The Japanese invasion of Korea was one of the most important incidents in Joseon history. Gyeongju was involved in as many as four battles with Japanese troops for two years starting in 1592. Visitors to the exhibition can have a chance to see the helmet, armor, and a new type ofbomb shell called Bigyeokjincheolloeused in battle.

The special exhibition showcases a total of 180 items that allow a glimpse of the culture, lifestyle, and thoughts of the people in Gyeongju during the Joseon Dynasty. It runs until November 10.
More information is available at the official website of theGyeongju National Museum.

(All photos courtesy of the Gyeongju National Museum)

By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
[email protected]