Seocheon Yi Ha-bok Gotaek

About this place

The Yi Ha-bok Historic House in Seocheon is a representative dwelling that has been preserved with the simple form of a traditional folk farmhouse of Korea's Chungcheong and Honam regions intact; in recognition of its value, it was designated a National Folklore Cultural Heritage in 1984. A descendant of Yi Saek, whose pen name was Mogeun, built the three-bay main quarters (anchae) of this house in the late 19th century, and later, in the early 20th century, the sarangchae (men's quarters), the lower quarters, and the upper quarters were newly built while the main quarters were also greatly enlarged, and the house has come down to the present day in that form. The site is also considered an auspicious location (myeongdang) according to feng shui geomancy, and its sense of place was further enhanced by neatly planting Chinese junipers, Chinese parasol trees, spindle trees, and the like. It is now managed by the Cheongam Cultural Foundation, which carries on the will of Cheongam Yi Ha-bok, a rural enlightenment activist and educator from Seocheon; an exhibition hall displaying folk artifacts and books has been built right beside it so that visitors can view it together with the historic house. Programs such as a two-day-one-night stay, farmhouse experiences, and photography experiences are also offered. Around this area are tourist attractions such as the Seocheon Isaek Experience Village and, within it, the Seocheon Botanical Art Garden, as well as Munheon Seowon, Hansan Hyanggyo, the Hansan Ramie Hall, Hansan Eupseong Fortress, Geonjisanseong Fortress, and the Hansan five-day market, which are worth visiting together on a linked tour.