Korean Bells - Design and Characteristics

Abstract

The origin of Korean bells is not clear at this time, but they are believed to have come into use late in Three Kingdoms period (Koguryo, Silla and Paekche Dynasty) after the introduction of Buddhism into the Korean peninsula. Ancient records and remains of buildings at temple sites from the Paekche dynasty lead us to posit that bells began to be used in temples in the late sixth century. The oldest extant bell in Korea is the Sangwonsa bell, which was cast during the Unified Silla dynasty (AD 725) after the unification of the three kingdoms. There is now evidence that a prototype of the Korean bell had already been established by the time the Sangwonsa bell was made.