TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM Thematic Exhibition Stele inscription of King Gwanggaeto's

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	Date : September 3, 2010 Valid until : October 3, 2004

Stele for the Goguryeo King Gwanggaeto

Room 8, Toyokan (Asian Gallery)

Tuesday, August 3 - Sunday, October 3, 2004

Stele inscription of King Gwanggaeto's, trace-copied from the rubbings, Original:Ji'an, Jilin province, China, Original: Goguryeo, 5th century; Ink Drawing: 19th century

The Goguryeo kingdom (?-668 AD) dominated the southern part of present northeastern China and the northern half of the Korean peninsula. King Gwanggaeto (Haotaiwang, r. 391-412) in particular, successfully campaigning against surrounding states, greatly expanded the Goguryeo domain, thus leading the kingdom to a flourishing peak during the reign period of himself and his son, King Jangsu (r. 413-491).

The stele for King Gwanggaeto is a great stone monument erected in 414 by King Jangsu to honor the achievements of his father, as well as to protect his tomb. There are many mysteries about this stele: concerning the interpretation of the text, whether some of the engraved characters were altered after the stele was discovered in the early 19th century, and which of the two tombs located near the monument, Taiwangling tomb or Jiangjunzhong tomb, belongs to King Gwanggaeto. These still remain ardently discussed problems.

In 2004, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided in its 28th session, held in Suzho, China, to add the "Complex of Koguryo Tombs" in North Korea and "Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom" in China to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The worldwide recognition of Goguryeo culture has prompted a new phase of conservation and opening of the Goguryeo site to the public. The stele for King Gwanggaeto and the two tombs nearby are included in this World Heritage inscription.

This thematic exhibition introduces the Goguryeo culture through rubbings of the King Gwanggaeto stele and objects from the Goguryeo tombs.

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Stele inscription of King Gwanggaeto's, trace-copied from the rubbings, Original: Ji'an, Jilin province, China, Original: Goguryeo, 5th century; Ink Drawing: 19th century
Eaves Tile, with design of radiouses and lotus flower, from Jiangjunzhong, Ji'an, Jilin province, China, Gaogouli (Goguryeo), 5th century (Gift of Mr. Yatsui Seiichi)
Brick, with inscription, from Qianqiuzhong, Ji'an, Jilin province, China, Gaogouli (Goguryeo), 4th - 5th century (Gift of Mr. Yatsui Seiichi)