Yeongyejaeiman

Yi Jung-hwan's Taengniji contains the passage 'Joseon inje ban jae Yeongnam' (朝鮮人材半在嶺南), meaning that half of Joseon's talented people were born in the Yeongnam region. Jinju in particular produced so many notable figures that the Gang, Ha and Jeong clans all trace their clan seat there, and the publication of biographical registers flourished in the Jinju area as well — chiefly the Yeongyean (蓮桂案) and the Hyangan (鄕案), the Local Gentry Register. The Yeongyean was a roster recording the names of Jinju natives who had passed the state civil service examination, while the Hyangan recorded the names of local scholars noted for both learning and virtuous conduct. Descendants whose ancestors were named in the Joseon-period Hyangan and Yeongyean built the Yeongyejae hall in Okbong-dong, Jinju, where they carefully preserved these registers and took great pride in them. The descendants also held meetings at Yeongyejae, where they reached consensus on major and minor local matters and offered advice when consulted by the local magistrate. This material is valued as an important source for studying the standing of the powerful clans that held influence in the Jinju area during the Joseon period, and the changing balance of power among them; it was designated as heritage in 2005. It was originally kept at Yeongyejae in Okbong-dong, Jinju, but owing to the high risk of theft it has been entrusted since July 2005 to Muncheongak, the old-book reading room of Gyeongsang National University Library.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jinju, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산