SEOUL — July 8, 2025 — Two significant masterpieces of Korean Buddhist art, recently returned from Japan, were unveiled to the public today at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul. The retrieved artifacts include a 14th-century transcription of the Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra) in gold on indigo paper and a complete early-Joseon Dynasty set of Buddhist paintings depicting the Ten Kings of the Underworld.
The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (OKCHF), which jointly facilitated the return, described the artifacts as “quintessential expressions of Korean Buddhist art and spirituality.”
A Golden Sutra from the Goryeo Dynasty
The first item, the Transcription of the Zhou Version of the Avatamsaka Sutra, Volume 22, was created in 1334 during the Goryeo period. Transcribed in gold pigment on dark indigo paper, the scroll spans over 10 meters in length and features fine illustrations of the Vairocana Buddha delivering sermons in various celestial realms.
“This piece not only exemplifies exceptional calligraphic and artistic skill, but also carries historical significance,” said a representative from the OKCHF. “It contains a dedication by Jeongdokmandara, a Korean who served in the Yuan Dynasty court, and was part of a larger set of 81 volumes — one of which is already recognized as a national treasure.”
The manuscript's elaborate cover, adorned with gold and silver lotus motifs, and its five-page illustrated transformation tableaux underscore the craftsmanship of monk-scribes of the Goryeo period.
A Complete Early-Joseon Painting Set
The second returned treasure is a set of ten hanging scrolls portraying the Ten Kings of the Underworld (Siwang), celestial judges responsible for evaluating souls in the afterlife. Created during the early Joseon period, the set is one of only two complete examples known to exist.
The paintings vividly depict muscular jailers punishing souls, symbolic hell scenes, and richly detailed robes and backdrops with floral and cloud motifs. Notably, the depiction of King Yeomna — the fifth king — features a coronet inscribed with the Big Dipper constellation, a rare motif reflecting folk beliefs about longevity. Another standout feature is the inclusion of rebirth imagery in King Byeonseong’s painting, where sinners are shown emerging from lotus blossoms — a hopeful portrayal of redemption.
Cultural Significance and Public Access
Both the sutra and the painting set were preserved in excellent condition, despite being over six centuries old. Their return was made possible through successful negotiations with private collectors and auction houses, supported by the National Lottery Fund.
Choi Eung-Chon, Administrator of the KHS, emphasized the timing and importance of the unveiling: “As Korea approaches the 80th anniversary of its liberation, this return represents a powerful act of cultural restoration. These pieces are not only historical artifacts, but profound reflections of Korean artistic and spiritual heritage.”
The KHS and OKCHF announced plans to make the items accessible to the public through future exhibitions and will continue their efforts to locate and repatriate other cultural assets held overseas.
Sayart / Jason Yim yimjongho1969@gmail.com
