House of the Maeng Clan, Asan

This is the house where the family of Maeng Sa-seong (pen name Gobul, 1360-1438), famous as an incorrupt official (cheongbaengni) of the early Joseon period, lived; it is also said to have originally been built by General Choe Yeong in the late Goryeo period. Maeng Sa-seong was a civil official active from the late Goryeo into the early Joseon period, and was the grandson-in-law of General Choe Yeong. He passed the civil service examination in 1386, the 12th year of King U of Goryeo, and served as a compiler at the Office of Annals and an official of Jeonuisi, among other posts; under King Taejo of Joseon he held offices including Assistant Section Chief at the Ministry of Rites, Third Councillor of the Ministry of Personnel, Grand Academician of the Yemun-gwan (Office of Royal Decrees), and State Councillor of the Right. He was by nature unpretentious and quiet, and deeply filial, yet when important state affairs were discussed at court he dealt with matters boldly and decisively. "Haengdan" (杏壇) means a place where a scholar cultivates learning. The house is a ㄷ-shaped building with a gabled roof, and is known as one of the oldest surviving houses of ordinary Korean people. In the yard stand two 600-year-old ginkgo trees, and on the hill behind the house zelkova, fir and persimmon trees form a broad wood. Many zelkova and willow trees also grow along the stream in front of the house, and inside the walled yard there is a vegetable garden. Through this house the appearance of ordinary dwellings of the early Joseon period can be well understood.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Asan, Chungnam

Designation

Historic Site · 사적