흥천사 명부전의 특징과 의미

Abstract

Myeongbujeon of Heungcheonsa was built as Siwangjeon in 1855, but it appears to have been renamed when it was rebuilt in 1894. It assumes that it was founded by Ms.Yang, the concubine of Kim Jwa-geun, the most powerful man at the time. In 1894, about 150 people contributed, and it is noteworthy that construction materials were included in the donation list. The architectural artisans were not mentioned in the first construction records, but they were specifically listed in the reconstruction records. Among them, it was confirmed that Nipyeonsu, Ma Baek-ryong participated in the reconstruction of Junghwajeon of Gyeongungung Palace in 1902 and the reconstruction of Gyeongungung Palace in 1904-1907 as Gaewapyeonsu. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, various state-run construction projects including Gyeongbokgung Palace had been carried out, and numerous artisans had participated. After the completion of the state-run construction, they appeared to have participated in any types of construction. This influenced the architectural style at that time. Palace architectural elements were adopted in Buddhist architecture including Myeongbujeon of Heungcheonsa which were built in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas in the nineteenth century Myeongbujeon of Heungcheonsa has the palace architectural elements. They are the bird’s beak-shaped Ik-kong style which was mainly used in architectures of palaces and government offices, trimmed cornerstones, Nag-yang, Gyochang, Ungung-shaped Cheomcha, and Chwidu on the roof. In addition, Yongdu is attached to all the pillars in the front. Bongdu of the Ungong on the back, Yongdu of the lower part of Nag-yang, Pyeonaek with vertical letters written in gold on the main lacquer background, and the fact that there is a dragon sculpture on Bong are the unique characteristics of Heungcheonsa Myeongbujeon. The reconstruction of Myeongbujeon, Heungcheonsa in 1894 could be regarded to reaffirm the identity of Heungcheonsa, and regained its status as the temple supported by the royal family at the time of its foundation. Architecturally, it is meaningful in that it is the Buddhist temple which has many elements of palace architecture as well as the universal architectural characteristics of Buddhist temples at the time.