Jinan Hyanggyo

About this place

Jinan Hyanggyo was established in 1414 (Taejong 14th year) to enshrine the spirit tablets of virtuous Confucian scholars, honor them, and educate and civilize the local populace. Destroyed during the Imjin War, it was rebuilt in 1601 (Seonjo 34th year) and relocated to its current site in 1636 (Injo 14th year). Surviving buildings include the Daeseongjeon, Myeongnyundang, Beonan-dang, and west study hall. The Daeseongjeon enshrines the spirit tablets of the Five Sages, the Four Scholars of the Song Dynasty, and Korea's Eighteen Sages. The Daeseongjeon venerates Confucius and the spirit tablets of Chinese and Korean Confucian scholars. It is three bays wide and two bays deep, with a gabled roof. Seokjeon (Confucian memorial rites) are held in spring and autumn. In the Joseon era, land, books, and servants were given by the state and one teacher instructed up to 30 students, but since the Gabo Reforms, educational functions ceased and spring and autumn seokjeon and monthly incense offerings are conducted. Holdings include 95 woodblock print editions (187 volumes) and 11 manuscript editions (11 volumes), totaling 106 titles (198 volumes). Among these, the hyangang, yuang, cheonggeumrok, and moseong-gyean are important materials for local history research. The Daeseongjeon is designated as Jeollabuk-do Cultural Heritage Material No. 14.