In the process of dismantling and repairing the stone pagoda at Mireuksa Temple site in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage discovered a time capsule from 1370 years ago that has sprung two big surprises. All the treasures that came to light exhibit the height of exquisite metal craftsmanship of Baekje, an ancient kingdom which ruled the southwestern part of the Korean peninsula for nearly seven centuries from 18 B.C. to A.D. 660.

 

Among them the sarira reliquary is particularly interesting for it suggests that the famous love story of Seodong (later King Mu of Baekje) and Princess Seonhwa (of the neighboring rival state of Silla) as found in Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) may be just that, a made-up tale rather than history. But first, it must be noted that the Baekje artworks found are astonishingly beautiful. The small gold sarira reliquary, no more than 13cm high, is engraved with lotus petals and honeysuckles and shows the very best of Baekje metal craft. It is a masterpiece comparable to the Baekje gilt-bronze incense burner found in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo. It sheds new light on the rituals of the ancient kingdom, and the large number of relics has revealed some important chronological points.  

 

The riddle posed by the sarira reliquary is a serious one. According to this relic, Mireuksa Temple was constructed by the “queen of Baekje, who was the daughter of Minister Satak Jeokdeok.” Up to now the general belief has been that the temple was constructed by King Mu of Baekje and his queen Seonhwa, who had eloped from Silla, as recorded in Samguk Yusa, a 13th century source.  This means that the legend of the “Song of Seodong, or the Yam Boy,” where a poor boy from Baekje composes a song to woo the princess of Silla, was produced in a later era and at the same time seriously throws into question the credibility of Samguk Yusa as a historical record. Of course, the story of Seodong and Seonhwa has been questioned before. As the events of Baekje were passed on orally they were probably dramatized to emphasize rivalry with Silla. Some have argued that the story was concocted by monks who, looking for a temple after the fall of Baekje, wanted to emphasize the connection between Mireuksa and Silla.