Discovering Gyedam Seowon: A Journey Through History and Tradition in Goesan

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Goesan Travel

Places to Visit in Goesan-gun

Gyedam Seowon in Goesan

I visited Gyedam Seowon, the pride of Gyedam Village.

Although the role of Seowon is not as significant as in the past, unlike other regions, Gyedam Seowon has been preserving its history and tradition through various programs.

Gyedam Village, located upstream of the Namhan River and filled with the fragrant scent of autumn, is said to have been named after the katsura trees and ponds that were once present.

However, there are also records of it being called "Jidae-ri Village" in the past.

In Goesan, various Confucian schools are located in each village. "Gyedam Seowon" completed remodeling in 1992 and opened its doors, taking responsibility for the lifelong education of residents. Rather than building a modern building, it created its own unique charm by establishing a historically significant Seowon.

As an affiliated university of Gyedam Seowon, it offers six months of theoretical and practical education, teaching general knowledge such as classical Chinese, idioms, the "Classic of Filial Piety," ritual prayers, coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, funerals, and ancestral rites, as well as various other subjects.

I believe that Gyedam Seowon is the best existing "Seowon," as it has graduated thousands of students from its affiliated university.

Gyedam Seowon was founded in 1824 (the 24th year of King Sunjo) on the mountain behind Gyedam Village. It was temporarily demolished in 1865 (the 8th year of King Gojong) due to Daewongun's Seowon Abolition Order, but restoration work began in 1990 thanks to the efforts of Ahn Dong-jun, the chairman of the Sunheung Ahn clan's Yangdo Gongpa Jonghoe.

In 1991, the shrine, study, lecture hall, Sesam Gate, and Sedeoksa Shrine were successfully restored, and in 1992, it returned to the community.

In addition, the signboard engraved on the Seowon was completed in a dignified and exquisite calligraphy style.

Information about Ahn Myeong-se is also conveyed at Gyedam Seowon. He passed the Byeolsi civil service examination in 1544 (the 38th year of King Jungjong) and served as Gaju Seo in the Seungjeongwon and Yemungwan.

However, he was arrested and sentenced to death by some jealous nobles.

His innocence was vindicated when King Seonjo ascended the throne, and he was allowed to hold ancestral rites here.

I personally believe that Gyedam Seowon is a historically significant cultural site located in a village with a deep history among Goesan's various cultural assets. From the establishment, demolition, and restoration of the Seowon, the descendants are not only focused on preserving it but also creating a positive place where people can experience the history of Goesan by continuously holding large and small events at the Seowon.

Gyedam Seowon has a unique structure with both Gangseodang and Hakgudang. It seems that the library was added during the remodeling by the descendants. The roof tiles and low walls surrounding the Seowon create another layer of history as moss fills the gaps.

I met the manager in charge of the Seowon on my way down after finishing my tour of Gyedam Seowon.

I was lucky enough to enter a space that is usually off-limits to outsiders.

The Gyehyang Seouhoe, which is being conducted as part of the Goesan-gun City/County Capacity Strengthening Project in 2025, was also taking place at Gyedam Seowon.

Gyehyang Seouhoe is a gathering where people enjoy artistic activities such as learning calligraphy using paper, ink, and brushes at the Seowon.

The calligraphy pursued here was not just about writing Chinese characters with a brush. By using various fonts that can be written with a brush to express themselves artistically on paper, they were creating a culture where people could easily approach the image of calligraphy.

Thanks to the manager who told me various information related to Gyeam Seowon and gave me a book about the Seowon, I was able to enjoy a fun historical trip. If you want to enjoy a meaningful Seowon trip while traveling in Goesan, I highly recommend visiting Gyeam Seowon.

[How to Get There]

Gyedam Seowon, Goesan: Idam-ri, Gam物-myeon, Goesan-gun

Source :https://blog.naver.com/goesan-gun/224080787086

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