A pagoda called Saja (lion) is located at the Kumjang Hermitage in the Naegumgang-ri, Kumgang County, Kangwon Province. The three-storey granite pagoda, 3.87 metres high, dates back to the early days of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392).
Sculptures of squatted lions stand on the base at its four corners as if they were supporting the tower body, hence the name Saja Pagoda.
The tower consists of the base, body and head. The base is of special composition. Beneath it is a lay of stones, each of them being 2.02 metres long.
A stone lion, 1.1 metres tall, stands at each of the four corners of the middle part of the base, and a stone Buddha, 0.88 metres tall, is surrounded by them.
The stone lions stand with their two legs firmly against the base. The flat and square-shaped slab on the heads of the stone lions highlights its horizontal lines with full width and straight eaves.
The three-storey tower body tapers upwards.
The roof surface is some steep and slightly curved. Each corner of the roofing stone has an iron hoop for hanging a wind bell.
The pagoda is well balanced as it is supported by stone lions at the base like pillars. The stone lions and Buddha look somewhat serious, but they keep their strong and composed appearance enough to support the tower body.
The tower is a historical relic which is of some significance in studying the architectural style of towers and sculpture in the period of Koryo.
Kim Hyok
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