Sojapasmyobi (Tombstone of Soja Pa)

About this place

This is the tombstone of So Japa, a mid-Joseon civil official, located in Yonghwa-ri, Wanggung-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. It was erected in 1526 (the 21st year of King Jungjong's reign) and is managed by the Jinju So clan Iksan branch. The stele body is marble, 165 cm tall, 93 cm wide, and 23 cm thick. The granite base is 136 cm wide, 98 cm deep, and 73 cm tall, and is decorated with dragon-flower patterns (yonghwamun) in two squares on the front and back, and lotus petal designs (yeonpanmun) at the top. The four-sided base stone is carved with chrysanthemum designs. The capstone is engraved with lotus and cloud patterns on the front and back, very finely and excellently executed. The stele's front inscription was written by Kim Hui-su (1475-1527), and the text was composed by Nam Gon (1471-1527). The back of the stele was composed by Yi Haeng (1478-1534) and written by Seong Se-chang (1487-1548). The stele is well-preserved with clear inscriptions and excellent carving. Moreover, since it was erected in 1526, the earliest surviving epigraphic document in the Iksan region, it holds significant historical value.