Bongamseowon Confucian Academy, Jangseong

This is a Confucian academy built to honour the scholarship and virtuous conduct of Mangam Byeon I-jung (1546–1611) and to educate later generations. Byeon I-jung was a civil official and scholar of the mid-Joseon period who was well versed in military strategy and rendered great service during the Imjin War of 1592 and the Jeongyu War of 1597. His treatises, the Chongtonghwajeondoseol and the Hwachadoseol, gave great assistance in the manufacture of hwacha, wooden carts fitted with multiple rocket launchers. Founded in 1697, the twenty-third year of King Sukjong, the academy was closed in 1871, the eighth year of Emperor Gojong, under the order abolishing Confucian academies issued by Heungseon Daewongun, and was rebuilt in 1976 and 1984. Byeon Gyeong-yun, Yun Jin, Byeon Hyu and Byeon Yun-jung were later enshrined alongside him, so that the tablets of five men are now honoured here. Passing through the outer three-bay gate, the education quarters lie at the front and the shrine quarters behind. The education quarters comprise Seonggyeongdang, which served both as a meeting place for Confucian scholars and as a place of instruction, and Hundeokjae and Gyeonguijae, where students lodged and studied. The shrine quarters contain the modestly sized Jongangsa, which holds the tablets of the five men. As a site associated with the manufacture of hwacha, the academy was designated a Jeollanam-do Monument in 1982, and memorial rites are held here every February and August.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jangseong, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물