Yuamseowon

About this place

Yuamseowon was built in 1761 by the public consensus of the local Confucian scholars (sarim) to enshrine the memorial tablet of Master Yi Jeong-baek (pen name Nakgeumheon) and hold ancestral rites for him. It was erected on Yuam Ridge, on the boundary between Dojin-ri in Bukhu-myeon and Juha-ri in Waryong-myeon. When the Japanese invasion of 1592 (Imjin War) broke out, Master Yi Jeong-baek, then 40 years old, raised a righteous army and was named its commander. He won many military achievements in Andong, Yecheon, Sangju, Uiseong, Gunwi and other areas, and the following year moved his camp to Miryang, defeating the Japanese forces at Eungcheon, Gyeongju and elsewhere. A seowon is a private local educational institution of the Goryeo and Joseon periods, established to enshrine the tablets of eminent Confucian scholars, perform rites, and educate and enlighten the local populace. Yuamseowon was relocated to Hapgye-ga in 1786, then demolished in 1868 (the 5th year of King Gojong) under the Regent Heungseon Daewongun's decree abolishing the seowon, and was later restored in 1936. Within the grounds are Jondeoksa (shrine), a lecture hall, the ritual-preparation office (Jeonsacheong), and the spirit gate (Sinmun). The shrine Jondeoksa has a gable roof of 3 bays in front and 2 bays on the side, fitted with wind boards; the lecture hall has a hip-and-gable roof of 4 bays in front and 3 bays on the side, with 4-bay side chambers. The spirit gate is a gable-roofed structure of 3 bays in front and 1 bay on the side, and the ritual office is a gable-roofed building of 1 bay by 1 bay. Rites are held here every year on the jungjeong day of the third lunar month.