A Journey to Goesan: Exploring Hwayang Seowon Confucian Academy
A Trip to Goesan
Places to Visit in Goesan-gun
Hwayang Seowon Confucian Academy in Goesan
Song Si-yeol, also known as Uam, is a prominent figure often mentioned in history books. He was a leading Neo-Confucian scholar of the 17th century during the Joseon Dynasty, succeeding the academic lineage of Yi I and forming the mainstream of the Giho school. He also promoted the Northern Expedition plan with King Hyojong. In his later years, he retreated to Hwayang-dong, Goesan, where he taught his disciples. Let's trace his footsteps in Hwayang-ri, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan, at Hwayang Seowon.
Seowons, along with hyanggyo (local schools), were educational institutions responsible for local education during the Joseon Dynasty. Hwayang Seowon was established in 1696, seven years after Song Si-yeol's death, at the site where he had resided. It was immediately granted a royal charter in the year of its foundation, and in 1716, a plaque with the king's calligraphy was hung. In 1704, the Mandongmyo Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty and the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yizong, who dispatched troops to Joseon during the Imjin War, was built and relocated next to it.
Hwayang Seowon faces Eupgungam Rock, the 3rd of the Hwayang Gugok (nine 곡) valleys, another trace of Uam. It was a stronghold for the Noron faction in the late Joseon period and a center of central politics, as well as the center of politics and academics in the 18th century. The historic site of the great scholar who valued Neo-Confucianism shares its history with the Ming Dynasty. Unlike typical seowons, where the lecture hall is in the front and the ancestral shrine is in the back, Mandongmyo Shrine, where the memorial tablets of the Ming emperors are enshrined, is located at the very top.
Later, due to the problems of the seowons, all buildings were demolished in 1871 during the reign of King Gojong, and the monument was buried in the ground. The current seowon was restored between 2002 and 2004 on top of the remaining foundation stones.
Hwayang Seowon leads up to Mandongmyo Shrine, where the memorial tablets of the Ming Dynasty kings are enshrined, and to the left is Songjasa Shrine, where Uam's portrait is enshrined. The path to Mandongmyo Shrine has steep stone steps in two sections, emphasizing reverence and solemnity as it was dedicated to the Ming emperors. Although Neo-Confucianism has been viewed in various ways with the changing times, it was considered the supreme ideology and foundation at the time.
At the end of the steep stone steps is the Mandongmyojeongbi Stele, a Chungcheongbuk-do Monument. The stele records the purpose of establishing the seowon and praises the person enshrined in it. There are two steles at Hwayang Seowon: the Mandongmyojeongbi Stele and the Goesan Hwayang Seowon Stele.
The Mandongmyo Shrine seems to have been built together with the stele in 1704, the 30th year of King Sukjong's reign.
The Mandongmyo Shrine has undergone many changes over time. After its establishment, memorial services were held for Emperor Shenzong and Emperor Yizong of the Ming Dynasty until the services were banned in 1917, and the memorial tablets were burned and the monument was damaged in 1937 and 1942.
Hwayang Seowon is a center of Confucianism, the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty, where you can learn more about Neo-Confucianism and the Zhu Xi school of thought. Along with these historical stories, the beautiful mountains are also spectacular. The scenery of valleys and forests is beautiful in all seasons.
Climbing to the highest point of the seowon, you can see the ridgeline of Domyongsan Mountain and Garyeongsan Mountain, which embrace Hwayang Gugok Valley.
The forest, which provided cool waterfalls in the middle of summer, heralds the colorful autumn foliage. Currently, it is just beginning to turn color among the still green forests. As the end of October approaches, the mountains will be covered in vibrant colors. Although the visit was a little early, the nature was still amazing.
Looking at Hwayang Seowon, to the left is Songjasa Shrine, where Uam's portrait is enshrined. This space would normally be located at the very top in a typical seowon, but it has been slightly lowered as the memorial tablets of the Ming Dynasty kings are enshrined here. Hwayang Seowon is always open, but Mandongmyo Shrine and Songjasa Shrine, where the portraits are enshrined, are firmly closed.
Finally, next to the valley leading up to Hwayang Gugok Valley is the Goesan Hwayang Seowon Stele. It records the purpose of establishing Hwayang Seowon, which was the most famous and prestigious seowon in the country during the Joseon Dynasty, as well as the people and writings enshrined there. At the entrance to Hwayang Gugok Valley, where the autumn foliage is beautiful, is Hwayang Seowon, where the traces of Uam Song Si-yeol remain. If you are hiking or visiting the valley, take a moment to stop by and experience the history of the Joseon Dynasty.
[Directions]
Hwayang Seowon: 188, Hwayangdong-gil, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Source :https://blog.naver.com/goesan-gun/224075883667
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