Yi Ji-ham Tomb

Yi Ji-ham's clan seat was Hansan, and his pen name was Tojeong, meaning 'Earthen Pavilion'. He was born in Jangsan-ri, Cheongna-myeon, Boryeong, and studied under his eldest brother Yi Ji-beon and under Hwadam Seo Gyeong-deok. He was well versed in astronomy, geography and medicine, and is also widely known as the author of the Tojeong Bigyeol, a book of fortune-telling. Before entering government service, he once built a pavilion atop an earthen house by the Mapo riverside and lived there, taking his pen name Tojeong from it; he also traded in fish and salt to raise large quantities of grain, with which he helped people in hardship. He declined official posts for most of his life, but in 1573, the sixth year of King Seonjo, he was recommended as a scholar of outstanding virtue and learning and was appointed magistrate of Pocheon. There he submitted a memorial proposing economic measures to relieve the people's poverty, and he foresaw the flooding of the Imjingang River, saving many lives. As magistrate of Asan, he built the Georincheong, an office for relieving the poor, and devoted himself to aiding the destitute until he died in office in 1598. He is therefore also known as a forerunner of Silhak, Korea's school of practical learning. In 1686, the 12th year of King Sukjong, he was enshrined as the principal figure at Hwaamseowon Confucian Academy in Boryeong, and in 1761, the 37th year of King Yeongjo, he was granted the posthumous title Mungang-gong. The tomb site, located at Goman, contains fourteen graves belonging to Yi Ji-ham, his siblings, and his ancestors and descendants. Because of his scholarship and the many anecdotes associated with him, the site is regarded as an auspicious burial ground and continues to attract great interest.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Boryeong, Chungnam

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료