Seoksu

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Seoksu at the Gongju National Museum.

Seoksu is a stone animal guardian which was believed to protect King Muryeong's Tomb. The figure is the 162nd National Treasure of Korea and was designated by the South Korean government on July 9th, 1974. It is currently held by the Gongju National Museum. This kind of protective stone animal originated from the funerary customs of the second Han Dynasty. [1].

Seoksu were used in a variety of different ways to protect their owner. They could be placed in front of the tomb or palace they were supposed to guard. [2]. They could also be placed inside the tomb itself. [3]. Seoksu could also be place in the pile of the stone and rubble used to surround the tomb and can be found carved on the bases of pagodas. [4].

This particular figure was found in the center aisle of King Muryeong's Tomb. It is 30.8 centimeres in height, 48 centimeters in length, and 22 centimeters in width. [5]. The animal is somewhat realistic, depicting a tail and anus. [6]. However, a steel horn shaped like a leaf and flame patterns depicting wings which run from the left and right of the body and on the legs shows that it is not based on a real creature. [7]. The Seoksu has a blunt mouth and a big, nostril-less nose. [8]. The mouth has remnants of red paint on it, suggesting that the figure was once brightly painted. [9].

Although the Seoksu is of a lower quality than some of the other treasures found within the tomb, it is especially valuable because it is the first stone figure excavated buried with Baekje kings.