Joseon-era pavilion returns from Japan after 100 years

연합뉴스 / 2025-12-23 14:36:19

▲ This image, provided by the Korea Heritage Service, shows Gwanwoldang in Kotoku-in, a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Japan, before it was disassembled. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Yonhap) -- An exhibition showcasing the return of the Joseon-era architectural heritage site "Gwanwoldang" after a century in Japan will open this week.

The Korea Heritage Service said Tuesday it will hold a special exhibition, “The Return of Gwanwoldang: Walking Through Time,” from Wednesday at Gyejodang Hall in Gyeongbok Palace, in cooperation with the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation.

The exhibition highlights the journey of Gwanwoldang, a wooden structure from the late Joseon period believed to have served as a royal shrine. It was taken to Japan during the colonial era in the early 20th century and later housed within the grounds of Kotoku-in temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The building was returned to South Korea in June after being donated by Kotoku-in’s head priest, Sato Takao.

▲ This image, provided by the Korea Heritage Service, shows Gwanwoldang in Kotoku-in, a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Japan, after it was partly disassembled. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The exhibition commemorates the first full-scale repatriation of a Korean architectural heritage site from overseas, presenting dismantled components of Gwanwoldang and records documenting its return.

Visitors can closely examine key structural elements, including major roof beams, supporting pillars, decorative wooden parts and roof tiles engraved with symbolic patterns such as dragons, spiders, bats and guardian faces.

The exhibition is free to all visitors to Gyeongbok Palace and runs through next month.

At the opening ceremony later Monday, the South Korean government will present a Presidential Commendation to Sato in recognition of his unconditional donation and contributions to cultural exchange between South Korea and Japan.

An archaeologist and Buddhist priest, Sato covered all dismantling and transportation costs out of pocket, guided by his belief that cultural heritage should return to its place of origin. He has also pledged to donate the accompanying prize money to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 26.