PAJU, Gyeonggi — A traditional Korean wooden building, hidden behind a massive Japanese Buddha statue for nearly a century, has finally returned home — one piece at a time.
Gwanwoldang, once located within the grounds of Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura, Japan, was unveiled in its disassembled state on Wednesday at the Traditional Architecture Elements Conservation Center in Paju. The Korea Heritage Service held a press conference to present the structure’s major components, which include thousands of roof tiles, wooden columns, and decorative ridge ornaments.
“This marks the first public disclosure of these components, in accordance with the donor’s wishes,” said Huh Min, the newly-appointed head of the Korea Heritage Service. “We are here to explain their significance and outline our plans for restoration.”
Originally located behind the Great Buddha of Kamakura — a designated Japanese National Treasure — Gwanwoldang was gifted to Japanese businessman Kisei Sugino by Korea’s Chosun Industrial Bank in 1924. Between 1934 and 1936, Sugino donated it to Kotoku-in, where it served as a prayer hall. Its presence remained largely unknown until the 1990s, when Korean scholar Kim Jeong-dong brought it to public attention.
Efforts to bring the building back to Korea began soon after but were hampered by diplomatic tensions and the Covid-19 pandemic. A breakthrough came in June 2023, when a formal agreement was signed between both countries. The dismantling and transport were carried out discreetly, with Takao Sato, chief of Kotoku-in, covering the entire cost of the transfer.
“This is a historic moment,” said Lee Geau-chul, a researcher at the Architecture and Urban Research Institute. “Never before has a complete traditional Korean wooden structure returned from abroad in this way — and it’s unlikely to happen again anytime soon.”
The building consists of 4,982 parts, including 401 stone and iron components, 3,457 roof tiles, and 1,124 wooden elements. These are now stored in a controlled environment within Warehouse No. 1 in Paju, which mirrors the conditions of Warehouse No. 2, where remains of Seoul’s Sungnyemun Gate are kept.
Humidity in the storage facility is maintained below 80 percent to prevent deterioration, according to Sohn Chang-il, head of the component investigation team. Park So-yeon of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation added that the roof tiles and stone pieces arrived last November, followed by the wooden frame in May.
Some parts retain signs of their original craftsmanship, while others bear modifications made in Japan. “We found red lacquer beneath black paint on the original columns, indicating later alterations,” Park explained. One tile featuring a dragon design appears to be a hybrid — with the top half from Korea’s Joseon Dynasty and the bottom half produced in Japan.
Experts believe Gwanwoldang may have once been a royal shrine located near Gyeongbok Palace, though not within its official grounds. Ten fragments of a choyeop, a pedestal typically found in royal structures, support this theory. However, differences in design between the front and rear suggest it was not part of a palace complex.
One especially rare feature is a 7.2-meter-long lintel spanning the full width of the building’s three bays — a testament to the advanced craftsmanship of the period.
Going forward, restoration will involve dendrochronology (tree-ring dating), wood species analysis, and archival research to identify the building’s exact origin and timeline. While full reconstruction may take years, the Korea Heritage Service plans to offer partial exhibitions and digital content in the meantime.
“This project represents more than just architectural recovery,” said Park Hyeong-bin, director of international heritage cooperation. “It’s a powerful act of cultural restoration — and we’re committed to making this history accessible to the public.”
Sayart / Kelly.K pittou8181@gmail.com
PAJU, Gyeonggi — A traditional Korean wooden building, hidden behind a massive Japanese Buddha statue for nearly a century, has finally returned home — one piece at a time.
Gwanwoldang, once located within the grounds of Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura, Japan, was unveiled in its disassembled state on Wednesday at the Traditional Architecture Elements Conservation Center in Paju. The Korea Heritage Service held a press conference to present the structure’s major components, which include thousands of roof tiles, wooden columns, and decorative ridge ornaments.
“This marks the first public disclosure of these components, in accordance with the donor’s wishes,” said Huh Min, the newly-appointed head of the Korea Heritage Service. “We are here to explain their significance and outline our plans for restoration.”
Originally located behind the Great Buddha of Kamakura — a designated Japanese National Treasure — Gwanwoldang was gifted to Japanese businessman Kisei Sugino by Korea’s Chosun Industrial Bank in 1924. Between 1934 and 1936, Sugino donated it to Kotoku-in, where it served as a prayer hall. Its presence remained largely unknown until the 1990s, when Korean scholar Kim Jeong-dong brought it to public attention.
Efforts to bring the building back to Korea began soon after but were hampered by diplomatic tensions and the Covid-19 pandemic. A breakthrough came in June 2023, when a formal agreement was signed between both countries. The dismantling and transport were carried out discreetly, with Takao Sato, chief of Kotoku-in, covering the entire cost of the transfer.
“This is a historic moment,” said Lee Geau-chul, a researcher at the Architecture and Urban Research Institute. “Never before has a complete traditional Korean wooden structure returned from abroad in this way — and it’s unlikely to happen again anytime soon.”
The building consists of 4,982 parts, including 401 stone and iron components, 3,457 roof tiles, and 1,124 wooden elements. These are now stored in a controlled environment within Warehouse No. 1 in Paju, which mirrors the conditions of Warehouse No. 2, where remains of Seoul’s Sungnyemun Gate are kept.
Humidity in the storage facility is maintained below 80 percent to prevent deterioration, according to Sohn Chang-il, head of the component investigation team. Park So-yeon of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation added that the roof tiles and stone pieces arrived last November, followed by the wooden frame in May.
Some parts retain signs of their original craftsmanship, while others bear modifications made in Japan. “We found red lacquer beneath black paint on the original columns, indicating later alterations,” Park explained. One tile featuring a dragon design appears to be a hybrid — with the top half from Korea’s Joseon Dynasty and the bottom half produced in Japan.
Experts believe Gwanwoldang may have once been a royal shrine located near Gyeongbok Palace, though not within its official grounds. Ten fragments of a choyeop, a pedestal typically found in royal structures, support this theory. However, differences in design between the front and rear suggest it was not part of a palace complex.
One especially rare feature is a 7.2-meter-long lintel spanning the full width of the building’s three bays — a testament to the advanced craftsmanship of the period.
Going forward, restoration will involve dendrochronology (tree-ring dating), wood species analysis, and archival research to identify the building’s exact origin and timeline. While full reconstruction may take years, the Korea Heritage Service plans to offer partial exhibitions and digital content in the meantime.
“This project represents more than just architectural recovery,” said Park Hyeong-bin, director of international heritage cooperation. “It’s a powerful act of cultural restoration — and we’re committed to making this history accessible to the public.”
Sayart / Kelly.K pittou8181@gmail.com
