Balsan-ri Hexagonal Stupa

About this place

The hexagonal stupa situated at Balsan Elementary School was among the stone cultural heritage items illegally obtained by Shimadani Yasuya, the owner of a large farm during the Japanese colonial period in 1903, and put on display in the school garden. The origin of the hexagonal stupa and which temple site it came from is unknown; it currently stands together with the Balsan-ri Five-Story Stone Pagoda and stone lantern. Estimated to date from the Goryeo period, it stands 175 cm tall, with the pagoda body and roof stone placed on a two-tier hexagonal base. On two faces of the hexagonal pagoda body, door-shaped carvings are present, and the Four Heavenly Kings appear faintly on the other four faces. This monk's stupa is recognized for its artistic value as a rare six-sided stupa with excellent sculptural technique, and is designated a Cultural Heritage Material of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province.