Han Hwak Spirit-path Stele

This stele records the life and achievements of Han Hwak (1400–1456), a civil official during the reign of King Sejo of Joseon. Han Hwak's ancestral seat was Cheongju, and his pen name was Ganijae. He was the father of Queen Sohye, consort of King Deokjong, and the maternal grandfather of King Seongjong. In 1455, the first year of King Sejo, he became Left State Councillor, was ranked first among the Jwaik Meritorious Subjects, and was enfeoffed as Buwongun of Seowon. Below the tomb site, within a stele pavilion, stands a spirit-path stele in the bangbu-isu style, with a square base and a dragon-carved capstone. It was made by royal order over a period of two years, from 1494, the twenty-fifth year of King Seongjong, to 1495, the first year of King Yeonsangun. Craftsmen of the highest calibre of the time took part, carving with great skill the capstone in the motif of two dragons contesting for a magic jewel, and the inverted lotus-leaf pattern and elephant-eye pattern on the base stone. The capstone and the inscribed body of the stele were fashioned from dressed rectangular marble, while the square base stone into which the body is set was made of granite. Beneath the base stone, a two-tiered foundation stone was laid. The inscription was composed by Eo Se-gyeom, and the calligraphy was written by Im Sa-hong, who excelled in the Songseolche style of calligraphy. It is regarded as one of the representative spirit-path steles of the early Joseon period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namyangju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산