National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea is the most representative and extensive museum in Korea. More than 12,044 pieces are always on display in six permanent exhibition sections, where visitors can examine numerous national treasures of Korea. Admission is free.

We arrived early so we decided to go for coffee and a snack.

Along the way, THIS happened!

Back to the museum.

On the first level we lingered in the Prehistory and Ancient History section perusing artifacts that represent some of the earliest evidence of Korean civilization and culture. We hurried through the The Medieval and Early Modem History section—which displays historical and cultural items from the Goryeo (918–1392) and Joseon (1392–1897) periods—since we'd already spent several hours in the museum and were getting tired and hungry.

We didn't even touch the second level which houses the Donated Works and Calligraphy and Painting sections or the third level with its Asian Arts and Sculpture and Crafts sections. It was truly a first rate museum.

Neal Dae hoon, our friend from the SKE Graduation, was our tour guide. Notice how he captured our rapt attention.

The large vessel here was used for burial. The smaller vessels contained "things" for the afterlife.

This ten story pagoda is a national treasure of Korea. The pagoda was first placed at the now-lost Gyeongcheonsa Temple which sat at the foot of Mt. Buso in Gwangdeok-myeon, Gaepung-gun, Gyeonggi-do Province. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, the pagoda was taken to Japan. In 1960, the pagoda was returned and placed on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It now stands in one of the main halls of the museum. This pagoda is very valuable because it preserves the Goryeo-era wooden architectural style that has been mostly lost. According to the South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration, this pagoda is one of the finest examples of Korean stone work and is of high artistic value. (source: wikipedia)

The Stele for Buddhist Preceptor Wollang. A stele (or stela) is an upright stone slab or column typically bearing a commemorative inscription or relief design, often serving as a gravestone. This stele records the life of the Buddhist preceptor Wollang (816–883) in the late Silla period focusing on his asceticism (or severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence). The body of the stele rests on a pedestal in the shape of a turtle. The headstone is inscribed with a legendary dragon. This kind of stele was in great vogue in the Unified Silla and Goryeo (668–1392) period.