Yongamsa Shrine (Jangsu)

About this place

Yongamsa is a shrine (also known as Yongam Seowon) located in Chunsong-ri, Cheoncheon-myeon, Jangsu-gun, Jeollabuk-do, enshrining the memorial tablets of five individuals, including An Seong, a civil official of the early Joseon period. Founded in 1818 (the 18th year of King Sunjo's reign), it was demolished in 1871 under the Regent Heungseon Daewongun's order abolishing private academies, then re-established at the same site in 1946. The complex consists of an outer gate bearing the plaque 'Sudeongmun,' a lecture hall named Gyeonghyeonjae (three bays wide, two bays deep, hip-and-gable roof), an inner gate bearing the plaque 'Jungjiмun,' a shrine building called Yongamsa (three bays wide, two bays deep, gabled roof), a caretaker's quarters, and an old lecture hall, with one commemorative stele. The shrine enshrines five individuals: An Seong (pen name Cheongok), a civil official of the late Goryeo and early Joseon who served as governor of Gangwon Province and as Second Deputy Prime Minister under King Taejong, and was selected as an incorruptible official; Yang Seok-ha (pen name Gyeeun), a scholar of early Joseon; Yang Seong-rin (pen name Yangsiмheon), a scholar of late Joseon from Jangsu-gun who abandoned official office to devote himself to scholarship and teaching at Jangsu Hyanggyo; Kim Yeong-gap (pen name Hwaeeum), a calligrapher; and Han In-gi (pen name Suudang), a filial son. The memorial rite at Yongamsa is held on the 12th day of the 9th lunar month. Nearby are Chimnyeong Mountain Fortress, a zelkova tree in Bongdeok-ri, Jangsu, and the Geumnam-gun Jeong Portrait Hall.