On December 20, 1962, South Korea's ruling Supreme Council for National Reconstruction passed into law a list of treasures designating gates, temples, sculptures, crowns, manuscripts, paintings, etc. as national treasures. The Japanese occupation government in Korea had drafted the first list of Korean cultural treasures in 1938, modeling the list after the National treasures of Japan. Numerous additions have been added to the list since 1962, most recently in 2004. There are now 307 national treasures on the list, some composed of a large number of sub-entries.
Korea relaunched the national treasures designation project partly as a way of recovering Korean tradition and heritage after a period of Japanese occupation and the devastation of a civil war. There is no better way to understand the heart of Korean culture than by visiting and beholding the National Treasures.
List of National Treasures
Designated December 20, 1962
Namdaemun (Sungnyemun), the first national treasure of Korea.
Bell of King Seongdeok, the twenty-ninth national treasure of Korea.
Gilt-bronze triad Buddha with the inscription of cyclic year of Sinmyo (571 C.E.), Yongin
Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple, a ten-story stone pagoda, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Gold crown from the Geumgwanchong tomb, Gyeongju National Museum, Gyeongju
Girdle and pendants from Geumgwanchong tomb, Gyeongju National Museum, Gyeongju
Gold buckle, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
A pair of golden earrings, Old Silla period (500-600C.E.). Found in Pubuchong Tomb, Pomun-dong, Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsangbuk-do.
A stoneware vessel in the shape of a warrior on horseback, from the Old Silla period, around 500-600C.E. Found in Geumnyeong-chong, Noseo-dong, Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Celadon kundika with willow and Anatidae (water fowl) designs in silver, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
White porcelain jar with grape design in underglaze iron, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Celadon bottle in the shape of a melon, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Celadon openwork incense burner, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Celadon pitcher in the shape of a tortoise, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Celadon vase incised with lotus and arabesque designs, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Celadon jar with inlaid peony designs, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Galhangsa Temple three-Story stone pagoda, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Namgyewon Monastery seven-Story stone pagoda, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Memorial Stupa for the Most Reverend Jigwang of Beopcheonsa temple, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Memorial Stupa for the Most Reverend Hongbeop of Jeongtosa temple, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Twin-lion stone lantern of Jungheungsanseong Fortress, Buk-gu, Gwangju
Stupa for Priest Yeomgeo from Heungbeopsa temple, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Three storied stone pagoda in Beomhak-ri, Sancheong, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Stone triad amitabha with attendants and 28 other buddhist images, with an inscription of the cycle year Gyeyu, Cheongju
Three storied stone pagoda of Gameunsa temple site, Gyeongju
Celadon bottle with willow design in underglaze iron, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Celadon bottle in the shape of a muskmelon with inlaid peony and chrysanthemum designs, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Celadon bowl with inlaid arabesque design, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Celadon ewer in the shape of a gourd with inlaid peony design, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Designated March 3, 1964
117. Seated iron vairocana Buddha statue of Borimsa temple, Jangheung County
118. Gilt-bronze maitreya, Yongin
119. Standing gilt-bronze Buddha with inscription of the seventh year of Yeonga era, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
120. Sacred Bell of Yongjusa temple, Hwaseong
121. Hahoetal and Byeongsantal masks, Andong
122. Three storied stone pagoda of Jinjeonsa temple site, Yangyang County
Designated February 28, 1966
123. Relics found from the five storied stone pagoda in Wanggung-ri, Iksan, Jeonju National Museum, Jeonju
124. Seated marble bodhisattva statue of Hansongsa temple, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
125. Green-glazed funeral urn with stone case, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Designated September 16, 1967
126. Relics found inside three storied Seokgatap pagoda of Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju (28 subentries)
Designated December 19, 1968
127. Standing gilt-bronze avalokitesvara bodhisattva statue of Samyang-dong, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
128. Standing gilt-bronze avalokitesvara bodhisattva statue, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
129. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva statue, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
130. Five storied stone pagoda of Jukjang-dong, Seonsan, Gumi
Designated November 7, 1969
131. Family register of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Kingdom, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
132. War memoirs by Yu Seongryong, Andong
133. Porcelain kettle in the shape of a lotus blossom, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
134. Gilt bodhisattva triad, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
Designated December 30, 1970
135. Thirty-leaf album of genre paintings by Sin Yunbok, Gansong Art Museum, Seoul
136. Dragon-head altar pillar, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
Designated December 21, 1971
Crown of Gaya, the 138th national treasure of Korea.
137. Bronze artifacts from Bisan-dong, Daegu, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin (two subentries)
138. Crown of Gaya, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
139. Painting of a gathering of immortals by Danwon, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
140. Nacre (Mother-of-pearl) mirror, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
141. Bronze mirror with fine linear design and a pair of knobs, Soongsil University, Seoul
142. Dongguk Jeongun complete set of 6 volumes, Konkuk University, Seoul
Designated March 2, 1972
143. Bronze artifacts, estimated to be from 200-100B.C.E. A bronze rattle with eight bells and a bronze mirror 14.5cm in diameter. Found in Taegong-ri, Hwasun County, South Jeolla, Jeollanam-do. Stored at Gwangju National Museum, Gwangju. (six subentries)
144. Rock-carved seated Buddha image at Mt. Wolchulsan, Yeongam County
Designated June 24, 1972
145. Bronze brazier with demon mask decoration, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
146. Excavated relics from Gangwon-do, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin (four subentries)
Designated May 4, 1973
147. Petroglyphs in Cheonjeon-ri, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
Designated July 10, 1973
148. Sipchilsachangogeumtongyo (History of China volumes 16,17) (book), Seoul National University, Seoul (two subentries)
149. Commentary on Chinese classics by Lu Zuqian, volumes 4-6, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (2 subentries)
150. Songjopyojeonchongnyu printed with Gyemi movable metal type, Seoul National University, Seoul
Designated December 31, 1973
151. Annals of Joseon Dynasty (four subentries)
152. Bibyeonsadeungnokbuuijeongbudeungnok, Seoul National University, Seoul
153. Bibyeonsadeungnok, Seoul National University, Seoul
Designated July 9, 1974
Crown of Baekje, the one-hundred and fifty-fourth national treasure of Korea.
154. Crown of Baekje. A pair of 30.7cm high golden cap ornaments, early 6th century (Baekje). Found in the tomb of King Munyeong, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do.
155. Crown of Baekje. The queenly counterpart of #154, 22.6cm high.
156. A pair of king's earrings, made from gold and jade, early sixth century (Baekje). From tomb of King Munyeong.
157. A pair of queen's earrings, made from gold. From tomb of King Munyeong.
158. Two gold necklaces for the queen, Gongju National Museum, Gongju
159. An 18.4cm golden king's hairpin, early sixth century (Baekje dynasty). Found in the tomb of King Muryeong.
160. A pair of silver bracelets for the queen, Gongju National Museum, Gongju
161. Bronze mirror with immortal animal design, Gongju National Museum, Gongju
162. Seoksu, a hornblende guardian spirit sculpture with an iron antler, from the entrance of the tomb of King Muryeong.
163. A set of two granite epitaph plaques from tomb of King Muryeong—one for the king and one for his queen. 41.5cm by 35.2cm, by 5cm and 4.7cm.
164. Headrest, Gongju National Museum, Gongju
165. King's footrest, Gongju National Museum, Gongju
166. White porcelain jar with plum and bamboo designs in underglaze iron, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
167. Celadon wine pot in the shape of a human figure, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
168. White porcelain bottle with plum and chrysanthemum designs in underglaze iron, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
169. Porcelain bottle with bamboo motif from Goryeo period, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
170. Blue and white (porcelain) jar with plum, bird and bamboo designs, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
171. Bronze pedalled bowl, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
172. Artifacts excavated from the Jinyang Jeong family tomb, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
173. Seated celadon arhan with dot design in underglaze iron, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
174. Pair of gilt-bronze candlesticks from the Silla period, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
175. White porcelain bowl with inlaid lotus-arabesque design, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
176. Blue and white porcelain jar with pine and bamboo designs and inscription of Hongchi, Dongguk University, Seoul
177. Buncheong placenta jar with stamped design, Korea University, Seoul
178. Buncheong flattened bottle with incised fish design, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
179. Buncheong flattened bottle with lotus and fish designs, Horim Museum, Seoul
Designated December 31, 1974
180. Landscape in winter, painting by Kim Jeong-hui, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Designated November 13, 1975
181. Certificate of passing state examination for Jang Ryangsu, Uljin County
Designated April 23, 1976
182. Standing gilt-bronze Buddha statue, Daegu National Museum, Daegu
183. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva statue, Daegu National Museum, Daegu
184. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva statue, Daegu National University, Daegu
185. Saddharmapundarika sutra, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Designated December 14, 1976
186. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva statue from Yangpyeong, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Designated August 27, 1977
187. Five storied imitation-brick pagoda in Bonggam, Yeongyang County
Designated December 7, 1978
188. A gold and jade crown with pendants, Old Silla period. Heavenly Horse Tomb (Cheonma-chong), Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
189. A 19cm high golden cap, Old Silla period, from the Heavenly Horse Tomb.
190. Gold girdle with pendants from the Heavenly Horse Tomb, Gyeongju National Museum, Gyeongju
192. A 120cm gold and jade girdle with pendants, Old Silla period. Found in the North Mound of Hwangnamtaechong Tomb, Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
193. A green-blue glass ewer, 25cm high (reconstructed), from the Old Silla period (est. 500-600C.E.). Found in the South Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
194. A golden necklace from the Old Silla period. Found in the South Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb.
195. Mounted cup with figurines from tomb of King Michu, Gyeongju National Museum, Gyeongju
Designated February 8, 1979
196. Sutra on white paper from the Silla period, Hoam Art Museum, Yongin
Designated May 22, 1979
197. Stupa to Buddhist Priest Bogak of Cheongnyongsa temple
198. Stele by King Jinheung of Silla Period in Danyang County.
199. Buddhist figures of Sinseonsa temple grotto at Mt. Danseoksan, Gyeongju
Designated April 30, 1979
200. Standing gilt-bronze bodhisattva statue, Municipal Museum of Busan, Busan
Designated September 16, 1980
201. Rock-carved seated Buddhist statue in Bukji-ri, Bonghwa County
Designated March 18,1981
202. Avatamsaka Sutra, Jung-gu (Seoul), Seoul
203. Avatamsaka sutra, Jung-gu, Seoul
204. Avatamsaka sutra, Jung-gu, Seoul
205. Goguryeo monument in Jungwon, Chungju
Designated May 22, 1982
206. Goryeo Buddhist printing blocks at Haeinsa temple, Hapcheon County (28 subentries)
Designated November 16, 1982
207. Saddle flap with 'heavenly horse' painting, from the Heavenly Horse Tomb, National Museum of Korea, Seoul
Korea (South). Korea's treasures: registered national treasures of Korea. Seoul: Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea, 1959. OCLC: 6303109
Kungnip Chungang Pangmulgwan (Korea). Selected treasures of National Museums of Korea. Seoul, Korea: Samhwa Pub. Co., 1988. OCLC: 30362682
Kungnip Pangmulgwan (Korea). 5000 years of Korean art: an exhibition (Han'guk misul och'ǒnnyǒn). San Francisco: Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 1979. LC 79-84234. OCLC: 5088619.
Pak, No-yŏng, and Pyŏng-chʻan An. Kukpo torok Korean national treasures illustrated. Sŏul: Hŭkpaeksa, 1959.
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