Head House of the Chogangong Branch of the Yecheon Gwon Clan, Yecheon

This house faces east, set on a sloping site backed by a low hill. Built in 1589, the 22nd year of King Seonjo, by Gwon O-sang, grandfather of Chogan Gwon Mun-hae, it is an early-Joseon gentry house. As a residence built before the Japanese invasions of 1592-98, it is a rare example of great scholarly value. The detached sarangchae, or men's quarters, a treasure, projects forward, and behind and to its left stands a square, ㅁ-shaped main block joined to it. To the left of the detached quarters stands Baekseunggak, facing it, and behind and to its right is a shrine. A haengnangchae combined with a gate house once stood in front of the detached quarters as well, but is said to have burned down during the Japanese invasions. A high stone platform stands in front of the detached quarters, and a railing is fitted along its wooden-floored hall, allowing access from the rear; behind the sarangchae, a two-bay wing connects to the servants' quarters of the anchae, allowing free movement between the buildings. The fact that the detached sarangchae was built in a pavilion style centred on a wooden-floored hall, that within the anchae the main room holds an excessively dominant position in the spatial hierarchy compared with the side room, and that the anchae and sarangchae are closely linked through the servants' quarters and connecting wing, are all features found in early-Joseon houses centred on entertaining guests. This makes the house a rare example retaining traces of an early-Joseon pavilion-style reception building. This heritage site is generally open to visitors, but access may be restricted due to the owner's personal circumstances.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yecheon, Gyeongbuk

Designation

National Folklore Heritage · 국가민속문화유산