Ssanggyesa
Temple is located in Sachon-ri, a two square
kilometer field surrounded by mountains, 7 km southeast of Jindoup,
across the "Pass of the King's Graves". Founded by
the great priest Tosun in the Shilla Dynasty, the temple was named
Ssangkye ("Two Streams") because of the two streams that
flowed along both sides of the temple.
Above the valley of the temple, there is a 3,700
pyong (3 acre) evergreen forest containing about 50 species of trees,
and designated Nature Monument No. 107. The main shrine of the temple
was founded in 1697, according to the record of construction, in
the 23rd year of King Sukjong. Written on the ridge door of the
shrine, on this record was found during repairs on the shrine in
1982.
Placing the cornerstone
on a 1 meter high natural stone prop, the builders of the temple
constructed a column. The temple is an entasis-style building with
three rooms in front and two rooms on each side, with a roof that
lacks eaves, and which
has rounded sideboarding at either end. The great central door is
composed of four small doors with a figure of teeth of comb, and
two side doors, composed of three small doors, with a figure of
bamboo frame.
Boards which support
the rafters project in three pieces all exactly alike. The style
of the boards is similar to that of the
base of a stone pagoda.
Purlins consist of inside and outside ones, middle
and last ones. Pillars are placed on both sides of the shrine, and
the roof, which has exposed girders, is boarded in the shape of
the Chinese character for "well" (οΜ).
|