Wooden Coffin from Japan

What you are seeing now are the coffins of King Muryeong and his Queen. They are coated with the sap of the lacquer tree and are decorated with gold and silver. They look so well preserved that you probably find it impossible to believe they are 1,500 years old. Look to the left. The original coffins of King Muryeong and his Queen are exhibited too. The wood has almost completely decayed over the years and there are only fragments remaining.

There is an important secret regarding the relationship between Korea and Japan hidden within these coffins. The timber used to make these coffins is not native to the Korean Peninsula. In fact, this type of pine is only found in the southern part of Japan. The origin of the wood was determined in 1991, 20 years after the discovery of the Royal Tomb of King Muryeong.

This supports the theory that there was active cultural exchange between Baekje and Japan. According to the Chronicles of Japan, King Muryeong was born on a small island in the Kyusu region of Japan. Much of the details regarding the relationship between ancient Korea and Japan are yet unknown, but this small piece of timber is certainly a clue.