Historic Site Related to Yi Sun-sin on Myodangdo Island,

This is the site where Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545–1598) and the forces of the Ming general Chen Lin joined together to defeat the Japanese army during the Jeongyu War, the second Japanese invasion of Joseon (1597–1598). Having passed the military service examination, Yi Sun-sin served as Left Naval Commander of Jeolla Province, and in preparation for a Japanese invasion he built ships and strengthened military provisions with Yeosu as his base. When the Imjin War broke out in the twenty-fifth year of King Seonjo (1592), he won a series of victories at Okpo, Noryang, Danghangpo, Hansan and other locations, and during the Jeongyu War he was again victorious, notably at Myeongnyang. After his death he was posthumously ranked first among the Meritorious Subjects of Loyal Service in 1604, granted the posthumous office of Chief State Councillor, and given the posthumous title "Chungmu". In the final year of the Jeongyu War, the thirty-first year of King Seonjo (1598), Yi Sun-sin led around 8,000 troops and made camp here, and in the seventh month of that year the Ming general Chen Lin arrived at Gogeumdo with around 5,000 troops. Chen Lin then made camp nearby at Myodangdo Island, and the forces of the two countries joined together; for the following seven months this place served as the joint naval headquarters of Joseon and Ming China. Today the site contains Chungmusa Shrine, where rites are held in honour of Yi Sun-sin, standing alongside Okcheonsa Temple, which carries the meaning of a temple protecting the shrine. Chungmusa Shrine originates from Gwanwangmyo Shrine, said to have been built by Chen Lin to hold rites for Guan Yu, who appeared to him in a dream, in order to pray for the safety of his officers and soldiers. Okcheonsa Temple was first built in the seventh year of King Hyeonjong (1666); when Gwanwangmyo Shrine was being repaired, a small hermitage was built beside it to take charge of its protection and rites. During the Japanese colonial period the statue of Guan Yu, the spirit tablets and various relics were thrown into the sea, and only the Buddha statue from Okcheonsa Temple was moved to nearby Baegunsa Temple for safekeeping. After Liberation, Chungmusa Shrine was built on the former site of Gwanwangmyo Shrine and dedicated to Yi Sun-sin.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Wando, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Historic Site · 사적