Kwangjosa Temple Five-Tier Pagoda
Kwangjosa Temple Five-Tier Pagoda
NORTH KOREA, South Hwanghae, Haeju
The five-tier pagoda is located within the compound of Kwangjosa Temple. It was constructed during the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392).
The base of the pagoda is square and it is divided into three layers: the lowest layer is undecorated, the middle layer has incisions on each face, and the upper layer has indistinct counter-reliefs and is surmounted by an overhanging stone slab resembling a low truncated pyramidal roof. The pagoda body consists of five tiers carved with corner pilasters. The eaves consist of corbeling and are slightly upturned at the corners. The spire no longer exists. Although this stone pagoda has few decorative carvings, unlike many other pagodas, it was likely built to be elegant in its simplicity.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Architecture G-L, page 642.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Lancaster, Lewis,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Architecture G-L},
pages = 642,
title = {{Kwangjosa Temple Five-Tier Pagoda}},
volume = 2,
year = {2016}}