연합뉴스
| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-10-22 09:48:22
SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- Historical buildings such as royal palaces and temples often featured special decorations to symbolize their grandeur. Among these was the "chimi," an ornamental fixture placed at both ends of the roof's ridge to ward off evil spirits.
Iksan's Maitreya Temple, the largest temple of the Baekje Kingdom, also used various chimi to adorn its roof. Excavations at the site, founded during the reign of King Mu (600–641) and active until the Joseon Dynasty, have uncovered over 900 fragments of these intricate ornaments.
To celebrate its 5th anniversary, the National Iksan Museum is hosting a special exhibition titled "Chimi Excavated from Mireuksaji - Records of Production, Disposal, and Restoration," starting on the 22nd of this month. At a press briefing held on the 21st, curator Kang Geon-woo described the exhibition as an exploration of the production, disposal, and restoration of the chimi, comparing them to time capsules that carry a wealth of historical information.
Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are greeted by a notable chimi fragment that features a distinct contrast between its upper and lower colors. Found in the eastern Geumdang (main hall) site, this fragment is thought to date back to the Baekje to Unified Silla periods, with its upper part displaying a brown hue and the lower part a blackish tone. Curator Kang explained, "This fragment, unearthed in the 1980s, shows signs of damage and burial over time, but during restoration, the pieces fit perfectly together despite the color differences."
The exhibition showcases 185 artifacts, including less-known chimi from Mireuksaji. Among the highlights are fragments with leaf patterns, some imprinted with actual leaves, and pieces discovered at the western Geumdang site that even bear fingerprints of the ancient craftsmen who made them. The exhibition also sheds light on the techniques used to create chimi.
The exhibit reveals how ancient artisans prevented birds from perching on chimi. Small holes were made in the chimi's wings, where thin metal rods, known as geojak (bird deterrents), were inserted. The museum uncovered one such metal rod from a chimi fragment found in a waterway to the west of the site. Kang noted, "Though historical records mentioned geojak, this is the first time we've found evidence of them on an actual chimi fragment, making it a significant discovery."
The second section of the exhibition features a variety of chimi fragments with lotus, scale, and vine patterns found at pond sites, corridors, and drainage channels. A full wall of chimi fragments from these areas provides a striking visual experience. Photos of similar chimi pieces from ancient temples, including Wangheungsa in Buyeo, Sacheonwangsa in Gyeongju, and Sungseonsa in Chungju, allow for comparison of patterns and designs across different regions.
Kang pointed out that only four complete chimi associated with Baekje have survived, but this exhibition focuses on the stories, patterns, and historical traces embedded in each fragmented piece. One of the exhibition's must-see items is a large chimi from the eastern monks' quarters at Mireuksaji, estimated to have been made during the Unified Silla period. Recently restored to its full form, this chimi stands at 143 cm in height.
This is the first public display of the restored artifact, which is presented alongside another chimi measuring 99 cm in height, also found at the monks' quarters, and a base fragment discovered at a pond site. Together, these items give a sense of the scale of the ancient temple. Kang commented, "While the 143 cm chimi exudes energy, the 99 cm one feels more elegant, and it’s likely the largest of the Unified Silla chimi."
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]