Kim Sang-man’s House, Buan

Kim Sang-man's House was built by Kim Gi-jung (金褀中), a wealthy man of the area, who constructed the main hall (anchae), the men's quarters (sarangchae) and a shed (heotganchae) in 1895, the 32nd year of Emperor Gojong of Joseon, and the inner sarang quarters (ansarangchae) and a storehouse (gotganchae) in 1903, the 7th year of the Gwangmu era. Later, in 1984, the outer gate quarters (daemunchae) was restored, giving the house its present square ('ㅁ'-shaped) layout. The roofs of the main hall, the men's quarters and the gate quarters are all thatched, which does not match the wealth of the original builder; this is thought to have been done to appear modest in the turbulent society of the time, though there is also a theory that the thatch was made of saetdae, a natural material available locally. Looking at the timber members, they are so well finished that simply laying tiles instead of thatch would make the house look like a proper tile-roofed residence, retaining the full dignity of a wealthy household of the period. The house well reflects the local characteristics of the Buan and Gochang region and employs techniques found only in coastal areas, and is considered to have great value for preservation as a National Folklore Heritage. Kim Seong-su (1891–1955), founder of the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper, is said to have spent his childhood in this house; Kim Seong-su is a person listed in the Report on the Investigation of Pro-Japanese Collaborationist Activities compiled under the Special Act on Finding the Truth of Anti-National Acts under Japanese Colonial Rule. This heritage site is generally open to visitors, but access may be restricted due to the personal circumstances of the owner or others.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Buan, Jeonbuk

Designation

National Folklore Heritage · 국가민속문화유산