Yi Sun-ji Tomb

Yi Sun-ji (李純之, ?–1465), a civil official and astronomer of early Joseon, belonged to the Yangseong Yi clan. On King Sejong's orders he researched calendrical science, and together with Jeong In-ji, Jeong Cho, Jeong Heum-ji and Kim Dam he compiled the Chiljeongsan Naepyeon and Oepyeon, reorganising Joseon's calendrical system. He also worked with Yi Cheon and Jang Yeong-sil to calibrate and build astronomical instruments. Yi Sun-ji's tomb is a joint burial with his wife, Lady Shin of Yeongwol, forming a single mound. Whereas a man's grave is usually placed on the left (west) side, here the arrangement is reversed: the wife's grave lies to the left and Yi Sun-ji's to the right (east). The stone furnishings of the tomb are modest, consisting only of tombstones (myopyo), a stone offering table (seoksang), and hwapyo ornamental pillars. Two tombstones were erected, one each for Yi Sun-ji and his wife, both with a hayeopsu (lotus-leaf-shaped) head. A distinctive feature of this tomb is that hwapyo pillars stand in place of the usual mangju seok: mangju seok are generally octagonal posts flanking the mound on either side, whereas hwapyo mark the entrance to the tomb precinct. Yi Sun-ji's tomb is a rare example where hwapyo were erected in this way; they are square in section with a rounded (wonsu) top.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namyangju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료