‘Golden Culture of Shilla’ exhibition opens in Chuncheon

A special exhibition dubbed "Golden Culture of Shilla," which will showcase glory of gold culture in the Shilla Kingdom, recently opened at the Chuncheon National Museum, and will continue through January 24. The exhibition showcases exhibits and relics that were on display at "Golden Culture, and Buddhist Arts of Shilla" at the Gyeongju National Museum, which earned positive response in the Korean cultural community, as well as gilt bronze crowns and Buddha’s statues.

On display at the special exhibition are a total of 200 pieces including national treasures of Geumgwanchong Crown (National Treasure 87) and treasures excavated from Cheonmachong tomb, Hwangnamdaechong tomb and other sites. Exhibits include Golden belts from Geumgwanchong, and golden hat and golden accessories from Cheonmachong, which symbolize the gold culture of Shilla.

The Part 1 exhibition "Shilla, Country of Gold" showcases exotic relics and articles that illustrate brisk international exchange by the ancient kingdom, while the Part 2 exhibition "Shilla, Country of Buddhism" presents legacy of Buddhist culture, which flourished in Gyeongju and local regions. The Part 3 exhibition "Gold Culture of Shilla and Afterwards" sheds lights on ancient Shilla tombs and relics, which had been forgotten until being excavated during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea.

sukim@donga.com