This article is about the shrine located in Seoul, South Korea. For the Buddhist temple in Pyongsong, North Korea, see Anguksa.

37°28′15.31″N 126°57′40.13″E / 37.4709194°N 126.9611472°E / 37.4709194; 126.9611472

Anguksa (Korean: 안국사) is a shrine located in Nakseongdae Park, Seoul, South Korea. It was built in 1973–74 to commemorate General Kang Kam-ch'an (948–1031). A memorial ceremony is held at the shrine every October to commemorate the general.[1]

Description

The shrine itself was built in a style like that seen in the Goryeo period. It has high ceilings, and houses various portraits of General Gang.

Situated by the shrine is a Three Storied Stone Pagoda (designation Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 4) of the Goryeo dynasty, also erected to commemorate General Kang at the place of his birth, Nakseongdae. Nakseongdae (낙성대, 落星垈) literally means “place where a star has fallen,” and refers to the legend that a star fell from the sky when General Kang was born. The pagoda was moved from the original site of Gang's birth (Nakseongdae Yuji, 낙성대유지), and relocated to the Nakseongdae Park area in 1973.[2]

In front of the shrine is a large statue of General Kang on horseback.

Location

Anguksa shrine at Nakseongdae Park can be visited by taking the Green 02 bus from Nakseongdae Station on Subway Line 2.

Gallery

  • Anguksa shrine, 2013.
    Anguksa shrine, 2013.
  • Angukmun gate, one of two gates leading to the shrine.
    Angukmun gate, one of two gates leading to the shrine.
  • Signboard for the Angukmun gate.
    Signboard for the Angukmun gate.
  • Entrance to the shrine area of the park. Angukmun gate sits behind.
    Entrance to the shrine area of the park. Angukmun gate sits behind.
  • Overview of shrine and park area from park signage.
    Overview of shrine and park area from park signage.
  • Statue of General Kang on horseback.
    Statue of General Kang on horseback.
  • Statue of General Kang in silhouette.
    Statue of General Kang in silhouette.
  • Inscription at the base of the statue.
    Inscription at the base of the statue.
  • Two renditions of General Kang's face found at the shrine.
    Two renditions of General Kang's face found at the shrine.
  • Three-storied pagoda.
    Three-storied pagoda.
  • Turtle monument at shrine.
    Turtle monument at shrine.
  • Back of the same monument.
    Back of the same monument.
  • Rock monument at shrine. The three characters read "Nakseongdae."
    Rock monument at shrine. The three characters read "Nakseongdae."

See also

Citations

  1. ^ "Nakseongdae Park". Visit Seoul. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  2. ^ "Gwanaksan Mountain Nakseongdae Park". Visit Korea.or.kr.