This is one of the most thrilling historical mysteries between Korea and Japan, and it perfectly highlights how advanced the ancient Silla Kingdom was. If you place Korea's National Treasure No. 83 (made of bronze) and Japan's Miroku Bosatsu at Koryu-ji Temple (made of wood) side by side, it is almost impossible to tell them apart just by looking at their silhouettes. They share the same gentle smile, the exact same three-mountain crown, the bare upper body, and the beautifully draped clothing folds over the pedestal. The Secret Revealed by a Broken Finger For a long time, Japanese scholars believed the Koryu-ji wooden statue was a masterpiece created by their own ancient artisans. But in 1960, a shocking incident occurred. A Japanese university student, completely mesmerized by the statue's beautiful smile, climbed over the fence and hugged it. In the process, he accidentally broke off the statue's right ring finger! While this was a terrible accident, it led to a ma...
Jinhae is a district of Changwon . Changwon has about 1 million residents, and Jinhae itself has roughly 180,000 people. The city is located on the southern coast, facing the Korea Strait. Because of this geography, it became strategically important for naval defense. Jinhae has a deep, naturally sheltered harbor. The land curves inward, protecting ships from strong waves and outside attacks. The water is deep enough for large naval vessels to dock safely. Because it faces the Korea Strait, naval forces here could monitor and control major sea routes connecting Korea, Japan, and China. In earlier centuries, control of sea routes meant control of trade, communication, and military supply. For that reason, this region already had strategic importance during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan. During the colonial period, Japan needed a strong naval base in the southern part of the peninsula. Jinhae’s protected harbor and strategic location made it ideal. ...