Chuwondang in Seunggok-ri, Sangju

About this place

Chuwondang was first built in 1759 (the 35th year of King Yeongjo) as a wooden tiled-roof structure, and its layout consists of a typical ritual-house (jaesa) form, comprising a shrine, a lecture hall, inner and outer three-gates, a jeonsacheong (ritual preparation hall), and a gojiksa (caretaker's quarters). This is a ritual house enshrining the bulcheonwi (permanent memorial tablet) of Master Geomgan Jo Jeong, who was a disciple of Jeong Gu and Kim Seong-il, scholars of the reigns of King Seonjo and King Injo of Joseon. Master Jo Jeong raised a righteous army during the Japanese invasions (Imjin War) and led guerrilla activities; in particular, his 'Record of the Imjin War,' which chronicled the situation of the time, is designated and managed as a Treasure and preserved as a valuable source for the study of the history of the Imjin War. Although the lecture hall is a building relocated in 1952, it is notable for adopting the same raised-floor (gosang) style as the nearby Yangjindang (a provincial tangible cultural heritage). (Source: Center for Korean Studies Materials)