Study of the Iron Seated Bodhisattva Sculpture at Seongbulsa Temple in Records from the Japanese Colonial Era

A rare Iron Seated Bodhisattva sculpture, previously undocumented outside of brief mentions, has been identified at Seongbulsa Temple in Kaesong through archival analysis. This discovery, supported by gelatin dry plate photographs from the Japanese colonial era and historical records, reveals the sculpture's likely production during the early Goryeo period (10th century), retaining stylistic influences from the Unified Silla Kingdom. The study suggests that the sculpture may have been commissioned for protective or strategic purposes, given its material and proximity to Jeongbangsanseong Fortress. By integrating visual documentation with historical survey records, this research clarifies the significance of the Iron Seated Bodhisattva, contributing to a broader understanding of Korean iron Buddhist sculptures in North Korea.

Kwon, K. (2021). Study of the Iron Seated Bodhisattva Sculpture at Seongbulsa Temple in Records from the Japanese Colonial Era. Misulsa Yeongu : Journal of Art History, 40, 83–107. https://doi.org/10.52799/jah.2021.06.40.83