Baeksan Seowon (Muju)

About this place

This seowon enshrines portrait paintings of Ha Yeon and his wife Lady Yi of Seonsan. Ha Yeon was an early Joseon official whose pen names were Gyeongjae and Sinhui. A disciple of Jeong Mongju, he passed the civil examination in 1396 (Taejo 5th year) and rose to the position of Chief State Councillor after serving in high official posts. During more than 20 years in the State Council, he was known for his integrity and law-abiding nature, earning the reputation of a prime minister of peace and refinement. Baeksan Seowon received the royal plaque 'Tajinsa' in the 21st year of Sunjo (1821), making it a royally-designated seowon. However, it was abolished in 1868 by Heungseon Daewongun. Descendants rebuilt it in 1917 and renamed it Baeksan Seowon. The current structures include Tajinsa, Baeksansa, and a lecture hall. The central hall of Tajinsa houses the portrait and tablet of Ha Yeon and his wife, with Ha Wiguk's tablet to the right. Baeksansa houses the tablets of Ha Jingdo, Ha Jeongdo, Ha Hyeongdo, and Ha Hyeondo. Annual rites are held in the 3rd and 9th lunar months.