Exploring the Historic Song Byeong-il House in Goesan
[ Goesan Travel ]
Must-Visit Places in Goesan County
The Song Byeong-il House: A Late Joseon Era Upper-Class Residence in Cheongcheon-myeon
As you enter the quiet village of Cheongcheon-myeon in Goesan County, a hanok (traditional Korean house) harmoniously blends with the surrounding landscape. Its unpretentious appearance, marked by old tiles and a serene courtyard, evokes the passage of time. This is the Song Byeong-il House, which retains the characteristics of a late Joseon dynasty noble residence.
Although the main gate appears closed at first glance, a wide entrance for vehicles allows for easy access. The initial impression of the house is one of neatness and restraint.
The first building you encounter in the courtyard is the sarangchae, traditionally a men's space and a place for receiving guests. The sarangchae of the Song Byeong-il House follows a ㄷ-shaped structure, with rooms on either side of a central hall, showcasing a balanced design and detailed finishes that reflect the architectural sophistication of the upper class of that era.
This house is said to have been built in the late 19th century by Song Byeong-il, an eighth descendant of the Confucian scholar Song Si-yeol, for his father during his tenure as the governor of Chungcheong Province in the Korean Empire. After several expansions, it served as the family estate, and from 1944, it was utilized by the Chungbuk Elderly Welfare Center.
In 1996, a new building was constructed nearby, leading to the relocation of residents, and the house is now preserved without any specific use. It has been designated as a national folk cultural heritage for its representation of the spatial organization and lifestyle of the noble class during the Joseon period.
The sarangchae and the anchae (main house) are arranged side by side, separated by a low wall.
Passing through a side gate next to the sarangchae, you enter a cozy courtyard typical of hanoks, with a long storage building surrounding it. The structures, resting on a foundation of natural stone, bear the marks of time without artificial embellishments.
The anchae serves as the center of family life and is traditionally associated with women's activities. While it follows a ㄷ-shaped structure, it also incorporates a ㄱ-shaped storage building at the front, forming an open layout. The anchae consists of several rooms, a large hall, and a spacious kitchen, and it is believed to have been constructed earlier than the sarangchae.
Notably, the kitchen in the anchae is larger than those found in typical hanoks, designed to accommodate daily household activities. Behind the kitchen, there are signs of a wall that was repurposed for storage, indicating that the household maintained a relatively large scale of living.
Behind the anchae, a separate shrine is established. Built with four compartments, this shrine is larger than typical noble family shrines and features side rooms. It serves as a space for honoring ancestors and conducting rituals, reflecting the house's character and the family's status.
Currently, the house retains only the anchae, sarangchae, shrine, and storage building, all oriented southeast. The clear distinction between male and female living spaces illustrates how Confucian principles were reflected in residential design.
Adjacent to the historic house is the Chungbuk Silver Nursing Home, built in 1996, which is the only building in use today. Meanwhile, the Song Byeong-il House quietly preserves its place, conveying the essence of the past.
If you wish to escape the hustle and bustle and take a leisurely look at the structure and traces of life within a hanok, visiting this house at the end of a Goesan alley would be a delightful experience. The depth of a space that has witnessed an era is conveyed naturally, even without any special presentation.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/goesan-gun/224181619568
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