Toegye Head House

About this place

Toegye Jongtaek is the head house of the family of Toegye Yi Hwang (1501–1570), a civil official and great scholar of the mid-Joseon period. The original house was lost, and this building was newly constructed between 1926 and 1929 by the scholar's 13th-generation descendant Hajeong-gong, following the scale of the old dwelling. Toegye Jongtaek is divided into three areas—the main quarters (jeongchim), the pavilion, and the shrine—each separated by walls. The main-quarters area consists of the main quarters and the servants' wing. The main quarters are laid out in a square (ㅁ) shape with the men's quarters (sarangchae) and the inner quarters (anchae), and on the raised gate leading to the servants' wing hangs a memorial plaque (jeongnyeo) honoring the fidelity of Lady Andong Gwon, wife of Yi An-do. Passing through the gate bearing the plaque inscribed 'Toegye Seonsaeng Gutaek' (Old House of Master Toegye), one reaches the pavilion area. In the pavilion area stands the Chuwolhansujeong, built in 1715 (the 41st year of King Sukjong) by the Joseon civil official Gwon Du-gyeong (1654–1725) in memory of Yi Hwang. The original pavilion was burned by the Japanese in 1896 and rebuilt in 1926 with donations from over 400 clan members. Today the Chuwolhansujeong is used for lecturing trainees or as a venue for clan gatherings.