Repatriation of the Joseon Royal Shrine Structure Gwanwoldang from Temple Grounds
At the ‘2nd Korea National Heritage Day’ ceremony, the National Heritage Agency awards honors.,
“Sato Takao, the head monk of Kōtoku-in Temple in Japan, received a presidential commendation for contributing to the return of the presumed building ‘Gwanwoldang’ of the Joseon royal family shrine, which was taken to Japan in the 1920s, back to its homeland after 100 years.”,
“On the 9th, the National Heritage Agency held a ceremony commemorating the ‘2nd Korea National Heritage Day’ and announced that they had selected 10 individuals and 2 organizations for medals and commendations for their contributions to the protection of national heritage. Sato, who donated the remains of Gwanwoldang to Korea this year, was chosen as a recipient of the presidential commendation.”,
“In 2019, Sato requested the return of Gwanwoldang to the Korean government. He collaborated with the government and academic circles, deconstructing the Gwanwoldang building from the precincts of Kōtoku-in in Kamakura City, Japan, last year and sent back over 4,000 components, including pillars and roof tiles, to Korea in June this year. Sato personally covered the dismantling and transport costs. The Heritage Agency stated that the award was given for contributing to the practice of friendly exchanges between Korea and Japan through cultural heritage.”,
“Recipients of the Silver Crown Cultural Decoration included Kim Seong-yul, a holder of the National Intangible Heritage Suyeong Yaryu, and Park Moon-yeol, a holder of the National Intangible Heritage Duseokjang, for their efforts in preserving and passing down national intangible heritage. Lee Sang-hae, an emeritus professor at Sungkyunkwan University, was recognized for contributions to world heritage listing and cultural heritage committee activities. Park Kang-cheol, the head of the Jeonnam Cultural Heritage Research Institute, and Park Ho-jun, a holder of the National Intangible Heritage Archery Workshop, received the Precious Crown Cultural Decoration for their contributions to systematic preservation of architectural cultural heritage and archaeological relics, and dedication to the transmission and development of traditional arrow-making techniques, respectively.”,
“The award for cultural merit was given to Lee Sang-gil, director of the Hangang Tree Hospital, who has treated over 1.12 million trees of natural heritage over 37 years and authored ‘100 Selections of Natural Monuments (Plants)’. Sato, along with Bang Hwa-seon, a holder of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province intangible heritage Seonjajang, Jo Jeong-hwa, director of the Baekje Gedo Research Institute, the Korea Ceramic Foundation Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum, and the Yanggu-gun Sanyang and Musk Deer Center, received presidential commendations.”,