In the 1920s, the Government-General encouraged the creation of a historical narrative to justify historically the colonization of Korea. To do so, it established the Institute of Korean History (1922) and made a Division for the Investigation of Historical Remains within the Education Bureau (1921) to systematically investigate and excavate relics in Korea. Those who investigated historical remains also participated in the publishing of Korean history. In other words, Japan’s excavation of relics in Korea was a project to find evidence for its colonial historical view. In the 1920s, the Government-General limited its areas of investigation due to its reduced budget. Those areas included sites related to the Four Han Chinese Commanderies (Hansagun) and Goguryeo (dynasty) in Pyeongyang, and areas related to Silla (dynasty) and Gaya (dynasty) in Gyeongju. Through excavations, the Japanese authorities intended to support the theory that Korea had been historically subordinate and to emphasize historical relations between Japan and Korea.
- View of the area around Nangnang tomb in 1925
- Before and after the excavation of the north tumulus, one of the twin tumuli
- Roof (Okgae) and cover (Cheongae) of wooden coffin and room of grave goods
- Arrangement of wooden coffin
- Arrangement of relics from the inner chamber of wooden coffin and room of grave goods
- Saito Makoto’s visit to the excavation site
- Members of the excavation project
- Wooden lacquerware containing ashes (Chillyeom)
- Wooden lacquerware containing ashes
- Inscribed golden (Geumipsa) pattern on wooden lacquerware containing ashes
- Wine glass (Usang) with inscription from the 28th year of Geonmu (53 C.E.)
- Wine glass (Usang) with inscription from the 21st year of Geonmu (46 C.E.)
- Bulguksa
- Jahamun (gate) of Bulguksa
- Dabotab of Bulguksa
- Entrance of Seokguram
- Seokguram
- Seokguram
- Stone Pagoda at the Site of Bunwhangsa (temple)
- Remains of stone waterway, Poseokjeong
- Tombstone of Royal Tomb of King Muyeol
- Gyeongju branch of the Government-General Museum (1)
- Gyeongju branch of the Government-General Museum (2)