Five-story Stone Pagoda in Balsan-ri, Gunsan

A pagoda is a symbolic monument enshrining the relics or remains of the Buddha. Although not all pagodas contain the true remains, they are nonetheless worshiped as sacred places that enshrine the Buddha.

This stone pagoda in Balsan-ri is presumed to date to the Goryeo period (918-1392). It was moved to its current location during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) by a Japanese man named Shimatani Yasoya who operated farms in the Gunsan area. It is said to have been taken from the site of a Buddhist temple in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do Province, together with the stone lantern in front of it.

The pagoda consists of a two-tier base, four sets of body and roof stones, and a decorative top. Based on the proportions of the body stones, it can be known that it was originally a five-story stone pagoda. The decorative top is presumed to be a later addition.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08