Historical Narrative and Artistic Evidence: Reexamining the System for the Construction of Bukhansanseong and the Establishment of Seungyeong Temple through the Artifacts from Sangunsa Temple

Abstract

This study presents a new interpretation of the Bukhansanseong construction system and the establishment of seungyeong temples by examining both artifacts of Sangunsa temple and historical records related to Bukhansanseong’s construction and the establishment of seungyeong temples. Traditionally believed to have been founded in the early 18th century after the completion of Bukhansanseong, Sangunsa temple houses relics from much earlier periods, suggesting a more complex history. This study reveals that, while previous research considered only Junghungsa temple to have been reconstructed, in fact Sangunsa and two additional temples were also reconstructed as seungyeong temples after the completion of Bukhansanseong. Furthermore, it challenges the conventional view that uiseunggun were mobilized for the fortress construction, instead positing that they were involved in temple establishment and post-construction management. By analyzing art pieces like the Goryeoera stone pagoda and Buddha statues, along with Joseon-era travelogues, this research sheds new light on the integration of religious, military, and administrative functions within Bukhansanseong.