Two Joseon cemeteries traded in Japan were returned to Korea with a donation from a Korean businessman.
The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation announced on the 28th that businessman Kim Kang-won (54) living in Japan donated the 'White Porcelain Kim Gyeong-On Cemetery' and the 'White Porcelain Iron Painting Lee Seong-Rip Cemetery' to the Uiseong Kim clan and Gyeongju Lee clan, respectively.
The cemeteries were unveiled at the donation and donation ceremony held at the Korean Studies Promotion Center in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, at 11 am on the same day.
A 'cemetery' (墓誌) refers to a stone or ceramic plate to bury together with the deceased's life, character, family relationship, etc.
During the Joseon Dynasty, there was a custom of burying such a grave together with a coffin when a funeral was held, and the graveyard has important value not only for individuals but also for the study of period history as records of the deceased.
Enlarging an image
One of the two donated tombs belonged to Kim Gyeong-on (1692-1734). He passed the Jinsa Si, a past exam conducted in the 2nd year of King Yeongjo (1726) of the Joseon Dynasty, and was promoted to the 9th grade official position, but soon resigned and returned to his hometown. It is said that he returned to the country and devoted himself to nurturing juniors.
A total of 5 pieces of Kim Gyeong-on's tomb remain intact, and the tomb gate is neatly written in pavilion using blue and white pigments on a plate made of white and soft white clay.
In particular, this tomb is highly valued as a historical relic, as it is clearly written that the 'Blue and White Porcelain Cemetery' was baked in a branchwon that used to make vessels used in the royal court during the Joseon Dynasty.
Enlarging an image
Another tomb is owned by Lee Seong-rip (1595-1662), a military officer during the Joseon Dynasty.
According to the cemetery, Lee's main building is in Gyeongju, but he was buried in Cheolsan, Pyeongan-do, and it is speculated that he was mainly active in present-day North Korea.
An official from the foundation explained, "It consists of two chapters and is concise compared to other cemeteries, but it is an important material for examining the life history of military officers who were active in the Joseon region in the late 17th century, such as marriages and funerals."
The cemetery of Lee Seong-rip used iron painting and engraving techniques to create patterns using wire pigments. In particular, the rarity and uniqueness of the production method, such as a hole in the two graves, were made to stack them together so that they would not be separated. high.
Enlarging an image
It was the role of Mr. Kang-won Kim, who runs an antiques trading company in Tokyo, Japan, that was decisive for the two cemeteries to return to their homeland this time.
Last year, he discovered that two tombs believed to be from the Joseon Dynasty were being traded in the Japanese cultural asset distribution market, bought the relics to return to Korea, and contacted the overseas cultural heritage foundation directly to express his intention to donate.
The foundation said, "Mr. Kim expressed his intention to donate without any compensation or condition, saying that he thinks it is a 'relic that must be returned to Korea' of course."
Afterwards, based on the contents of the cemetery, the two families visited the original collection site (the Uiseong Kim clan and the Gyeongju Yi clan) and discussed ways to utilize the relics in the future. decided to protect.
The cemetery returned this time will be used as an important material showing the history of the Joseon Dynasty by the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Korean Studies, a research institute specializing in documentary and cultural heritage.
(Photo = Provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration, Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation)