Misuheomok Burial Ground

This is the grave of Heo Mok (1595–1682), a leading scholar and calligrapher of mid-Joseon. Living at Ucheon in Gwangju, he devoted himself to reading and calligraphy, perfecting his distinctive seal-script style known as gojeon palbunche. This achievement is regarded as a major milestone in the history of Korean calligraphy, earning him praise as the foremost master in the East, and is thought to have had considerable influence on the later Chusa style of calligraphy. He was also accomplished in ritual studies and classical learning, and skilled in painting, calligraphy and prose alike. The Misu Heo Mok Burial Ground lies within the Civilian Control Line. Family graves of the Yangcheon Heo clan are arranged across the site, from the upper part downward: the graves of Heo Mok's grandparents and parents, among others. Heo Mok's own grave is a single round mound. The burial ground retains its original form well; its stone furnishings include a grave marker, an offering table and an incense-burner stone set before the mound, and in front of these a stone lantern, together with a pair each of ornamental pillars and civil-official stone figures. The grave marker is of the common form with a round head and square base, and bears on its reverse an inscription written by Heo Mok himself. He left this text at the age of 86 (1680), two years before his death. The stone lantern is square in form, with a large firebox but a simplified body. The civil-official figures wear the court cap and robes of a civil official, and their stone has discoloured badly. This burial ground is an important heritage site for preserving the inscription on the grave marker, composed and written in Heo Mok's own hand.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물