Hunguksa temple, located in Yeosu city, Chullanamdo province, was a pivotal place by monk as a military training center and operation against Japanese invasion war (壬辰倭亂) in 1592. After the war, many Buddhist rituals and services were held for reconstruction at the temple. The temple is also famous for historic site that almost all products in the building, rebuilt at reconstruction period in late Joseon dynasty, are national cultural assets. Typical product is beautiful and elaborate wooden Buddha statue, a national treasure No. 1550, which is enshrined in main hall.
In Triad, words of “提花菩薩大明崇禎” “慈氏菩薩大明崇禎” were written in the jeweled crown of attendants’ statues (脇侍菩薩 ; hyeopsi bosal). By observing words, construction period as 崇禎年間 (1628-1644), seated shakyamuni Buddha, Dipamkara(提花曷羅菩薩) in right side, Maitreya Bodhiasattva(彌勒菩薩) in left side are confirmed. The main stature stands in 140㎝, left and right statures stand 144 ㎝, 147 ㎝ respectively.
Triad shows splendid sculpture techniques such as round typed long face, characteristic feature expression and decorative ornaments(yeongrak). In particular, life size statue over 140㎝, distinctive remarkable face, heavy physical impression, scarf, the outer robe and splendid decoration are major characteristics in the statue, which is unique not to be compared to any other statue in late Joseon period.
These Buddha statues are similar to Wooden shakyamuni Triad, manufactured by monk-sculpture Ungwon, of Eungjin hall at Songgwangsa temple in several facts such as composition type and pose of Buddha, Dipamkara and Maitreya, statue expression of winding and voluminous treatment, splendid decorative ornaments (yeongrak), round typed overlapped precious hair (寶髮; bobal) expression, pedestal handling.
Typical peculiarity including face is different to the statue of Songgwangsa temple, but it is similar to wooden seated Buddha statue, manufactured by Ingyun in 1633, at Gysinsa temple in Gimjae city. Because Ingyun learned sculpture technique from Ungwon for 30 years from 1610, two persons’ relationship of teacher and student status was assumed to reflect the Buddha statue technique.
The manufacturing period of Buddha statue in main hall at Hungguksa temple was highly estimated at early 1630 by Ingyun during 崇禎年間 (1628-1644). It is helpful information that main shrine at Hungguksa temple was reconstructed palace in 1624. That is to say, three Buddha statues of main hall at Hungguksa temple is representative work in first half of 17 century showing typical Buddha stature feature of monk-sculpture Eunggwon and reflecting originality of monk-sculpture Ingyun.