Hongsanhyanggyo Local Confucian School

A hyanggyo is a Confucian school established by the state to hold memorial rites for Confucius and other sages, and to educate and morally cultivate the people of the region. Hongsanhyanggyo Local Confucian School was first built in 1517, the twelfth year of King Jungjong of Joseon, and was rebuilt in 1591, the twenty-fourth year of King Seonjo, and again in 1610, the second year of King Gwanghaegun. In 1643, the twenty-first year of King Injo, it was moved to its present site on level ground, because its former location stood too high. The buildings are arranged with the lecture hall, Myeongnyundang, at the front and the shrine hall, Daeseongjeon, at the rear — a layout known as jeonhak-humyo, "school in front, shrine behind." Myeongnyundang measures five bays across the front and two bays deep, and has a gabled roof that, seen from the side, takes the shape of the character 人 ("person"). The bracket sets supporting the eaves are carved in the ikgong style, in the form of a bird's wing. Daeseongjeon measures three bays across the front and two bays deep, and also has a gabled roof. Inside are enshrined the spirit tablets of Confucius and other Chinese sages, together with former sages of Korea. There is also a hongsalmun, a red-painted ceremonial gate, at the entrance, along with inner and outer three-door gates. During the Joseon period the school received land, books and slaves from the state and taught many students, but after the Gabo Reform of 1894 its educational function ceased; memorial rites are now held each spring and autumn, and incense is offered on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Buyeo, Chungnam

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물