Permanent Exhibition (Indoor)
In Daoism (道敎) a dongja serves at the side of immortals; in Buddism, the dongja attends the Buddha; and in Confucianism (儒敎), the dongja acts as a servant of the tomb owner. Dongjaseok reflects a mixture of Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian, and shamanistic beliefs resulting in diverse forms and functions. Its roles vary from a guardian of tombs to a protector of villages.
Dongjaseok
Dongjaseok is a type of stone sculpture created between the 16th century and the mid-18th century, primarily in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, for the tombs of royal family members and the sadaebu (scholar -official class). Depicted as a young child wearing ceremonial robes, with hair styled in twin topknots and holding ritual objects, the figure stands respectfully, bringing vitality to the otherwise solemn burial space. In its early stages, Dongjaseok featured decorative and lively expressions influenced by Buddhist dongja figures. Over time, its form gradually transformed into the more restrained and orderly appearance of Confucian attendant figures. From the 17th century onward, Dongjaseok increasingly merged with the form of muninseok (scholar-official stone statues), and by the late Joseon period, its distinctive characteristics gradually disappeared.
A continuity of memory, holding wishes
Dongja Gallery A continuity of memory, holding wishes
Dongja with Double Topknots Holding a Lotus
Dongja carved with Flowers and a Sheep
Dongja with a Bat
Dongja holding a Peach
