Korean Buddhist Paintings Returning Home After Centuries-Long Absence

ASHAHI SHIMBUN
By Akira Nakano, Correspondent

A Korean Buddhist painting returned to South Korea from a museum in Virginia 

SOUTH KOREA---Long ago taken to Japan and the United States under unknown circumstances, Buddhist paintings originally from the Korean Peninsula are returning to South Korea in rapid succession following an absence of many centuries. The production of Buddhist paintings on the Korean Peninsula flourished during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), when Buddhist culture thrived, and in the following Joseon Dynasty. Confucianism was the basis for managing the affairs of state during this dynasty, but the masses continued to believe in Buddhism as well. There are around 300 Buddhist paintings produced in these two eras that are known to exist. Of these around 20 are in South Korea, while the vast majority are known to be in Japan. [link]