Korean Art His: Week 3 - Incense Burner

What time period is the Incense Burner from?

6th C to 7th C (Sabi Baekje period)

What time period is the Incense Burner located?

Neungsan, Buyeo

What is the origin of the incense burner?

• Originates from Han Dynasty China

• Designed to represent sacred mountains of immortals (Boshan / Mt. Baksan)

• Used in: Royal rituals & Funerary practices

• Symbolized:

  • Connection to immortality and the divine realm

  • Authority of rulers who could communicate with heaven

What are the differences Incense Burner of Baekje and Chinese HIll Censers?

• Baekje burner:

  • Far more complex, detailed, and large-scale

  • Includes new motifs:

    • Meditating hermits

    • Diverse mythical creatures (oesu, cheonchu, manse)

  • Shows evolving Taoist worldview (self-cultivation, meditation)

• Chinese Boshanlu:

  • Simpler, earlier forms

  • Focus on basic sacred mountain imagery

• Key difference:

  • Baekje version is a creative reinterpretation, not just imitation

What is design of the incense burner and the different “worlds” it contains?

• Three main parts:

  • Lid (mountain/phoenix) → world of immortals / sacred landscape

  • Bowl (lotus) → world of rebirth and living beings

  • Base (dragon) → connection between earth and heaven

• Different “worlds”:

  • Mountain world (lid):

    • Animals, humans, spirits, immortals

    • Represents Taoist paradise

  • Lotus world (bowl):

    • Creatures emerging from lotus

    • Symbolizes rebirth and creation

  • Cosmic connection (dragon + phoenix):

    • Dragon = earth ↔ heaven link

    • Phoenix = heavenly messenger

  • Smoke:

    • Rising incense smoke represents:

      • Sacred clouds

      • Movement between human world → divine realm

What do the 3 religions (Buddhist, Taosim, and Confucianism) present on the incense burner?

• Taoism (dominant):

  • Sacred mountains, immortals, hermits

  • Quest for immortality and harmony with nature

• Buddhism:

  • Lotus = rebirth, enlightenment

  • Use in temple ritual context

• Confucianism:

  • Linked to ancestor rituals and royal authority

  • Burner used in state/ritual ceremonies

How are the 3 religions fused together?

• Combines:

  • Taoist paradise (mountain, immortals)

  • Buddhist rebirth (lotus)

  • Confucian ritual authority (royal use)

• Not purely one religion → reflects syncretism

• Shows how Baekje: blended imported beliefs into a unified system

How are the imaginary landscapes expressed?

• Highly detailed fantastical mountain world

• Includes:

  • Wild animals, mythical creatures, spirits

  • Streams, rocks, paths, trees

• Landscape is:

  • Not realistic → symbolic + spiritual

  • Represents idealized paradise of immortals

• Shows:

  • Early development of imaginative/visionary landscape art

When was the tomb of King Muryeong constructed?

523 - 525 (Ungjin Baekje period)

Where is the tomb of King Muryeong located?

Songsan-ri, Gongju

Why is the tomb of King Muryeong unique?

• Brick chamber tomb (Chinese influence)

• Inscribed epitaph identifies the king and queen

What are the key features of tomb of King Muryeong?

• Strong Chinese influence (Southern Dynasties):

  • Brick structure

  • Lotus and cosmological motifs

• Rich grave goods:

  • Gold crowns, ornaments, ceramics

• Emphasis on:

  • Royal authority and legitimacy

What religious and cultural meanings are presented in the tomb of king muryeong?

• Combines:

  • Confucian burial practices (hierarchy, order)

  • Buddhist elements (lotus, afterlife beliefs)

• Reflects:

  • Belief in afterlife continuation + status preservation

What is the artistic significance of the tomb of king muryeong?

• More controlled and structured design than Goguryeo tombs

• Less dynamic painting, more formal and symbolic decoration

• Shows:

  • Transition toward Baekje’s refined, elegant style