Ungang House and Manhwajeong Pavilion, Cheongdo

This old house began when Soyodang Bak Ha-dam (1479–1560) retired from official life to the countryside and built a private academy (seodang) to teach younger scholars; later his descendant Seonggyeongdang Bak Jeong-ju (1789–1850) built a residence on the site when he set up a separate branch household. Bak Si-muk (1814–1875), Bak Jeong-ju's son who used the pen name Ungang, greatly rebuilt the house, which has since been known as Ungang House after his pen name. The buildings are divided into women's quarters (anchae) and men's quarters (sarangchae), forming two large square-shaped ('ㅁ'-shaped) blocks arranged to left and right around the large sarangchae at the centre. With its well-organised structure, the finely divided floor plan of each building, and its rational use of space, the house fully embodies the character of an upper-class residence of the late Joseon period. Manhwajeong, a detached pavilion (byeoldang) belonging to Ungang House, was built in 1856, the seventh year of King Cheoljong, and was the place where Bak Si-muk lectured and cultivated himself. The main room has its own separate pantry room and pantry floor, and the main hall (daecheong) likewise has its own separate cool-storage space for summer use. The outer servants' quarters include a mill room and separate toilets for the master and for the servants, showing the completeness of the design. In addition, at a time when the separation of men and women was strictly observed, a small door was thoughtfully cut through where the rear sarangchae meets the inner storeroom, so that women could pass in and out without having to go past the front of the sarangchae. The middle sarangchae contains a study, a wooden-floored room and a heated room, fully equipped in the manner of a private academy. The variety of storage spaces, the care taken over facilities separating men and women, the toilets clearly divided between master and servants, and the presence of a seodang all show the rational design of this house. This heritage site is generally open to visitors, but viewing may be restricted due to the personal circumstances of the owner or other private reasons.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Cheongdo, Gyeongbuk

Designation

National Folklore Heritage · 국가민속문화유산