Dry-lacquered Seated Amitabha Buddha of Daedunsa Temple, Gumi

This gilded statue depicts Amitabha Buddha, who is believed to guide those who reflect upon his meritorious virtues to be reborn in the Buddhist paradise of the West. It is presumed to have been made near the end of the Goryeo period (918-1392). The sculpture’s basic shape was formed of clay, apart from the hands which are made of wood. It was then covered with multiple layers of lacquered hemp cloth to create the final design.

The Buddha sits on a pedestal with his legs crossed and wears two layers of robes. His curly hair is attached with an adhesive made from boiled glue and resin. This kind of hairstyle, the way the robes drape below the knees, and the way the sleeves drape onto the knees are characteristic of 14th-century Buddhist sculpture.

Few dry-lacquered Buddhist statues from the Goryo period remain, and most of them were discovered in the Jeolla-do region. This statue, however, was discovered in the Gyeongsangbuk-do region and has a high level of craftsmanship, making it of particular value. It also provides insight into the changes in Buddhist sculptural style around the turn of the Goryeo and Joseon (1392-1910) periods.

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