Ssangbyeokdang Head House, Bonghwa

This house is said to have been built when Kim Gyun, father of Kim Eon-gu (sobriquet Ssangbyeokdang), moved here from Gudam in Pungsan and settled on this site. According to the 'Record of the Repair of Ssangbyeokdang' hanging in the byeoldang, a detached annex building, the anchae, or women's quarters, was built in 1566, the 21st year of King Myeongjong. The three-bay south wing was later rebuilt in 1864, the first year of Emperor Gojong, and extensive repairs were carried out again in 1892. The byeoldang now bearing the name-board 'Ssangbyeokdang' dates from this time. The house is set on the lower slope of a low hill behind it, making full use of the sloping ground: the haengnangchae, or servants' quarters, sits on the lower level, while the main block of the anchae above is built markedly taller. It belongs to the type of square-shaped wing house found in other regions too, but is distinctive for how exaggeratedly tall its anchae block is. Passing through the tall, raised gate of the haengnangchae, one faces the sarangbang, the men's room, attached to the anchae. This sarangbang occupies the three bays of the south wing and, before Ssangbyeokdang was built, served as the men's quarters. Where the middle-gate quarters meets the sarangchae there is a middle gate; passing through it leads into the inner courtyard, which opens onto a broad daecheong hall. This wide hall, known as the 'yukgan daecheong' (six-bay hall), is a defining feature of the anchae's main block. Behind the sarangchae, further east and further back than the anchae, stands the detached Ssangbyeokdang annex, and behind that a square-walled shrine was built. The house is presumed to have been built in the early Joseon period and was repaired twice afterwards, but the essentials of its plan and structure still preserve the old arrangement relatively well, making it valuable material for the study of Joseon-period housing. This heritage site is generally open to the public, but visits may be restricted for personal reasons of the owner or others.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk

Designation

National Folklore Heritage · 국가민속문화유산