▲ The graceful hanok and the Old Architecture with Dignity, Sagye Historic House.

Chungcheongnam-do is the city of Munhyung(文鄕) where numerous scholars study the mainstream ideologies of Chosun.

The “Historic House tour” at Chungnam implies going around the places where great scholars lived and recollecting traces of their cultures. Moreover, it is a great chance to appreciate the classical and graceful Hanok (Korean traditional house).

Myeongjae Historic House in Nonsan
Myeongjae(明齋) is a pen name of Jeung Yun(尹拯, 1629~1714), a great scholar of Chosun. He only studied without a second thing of serving in a high government position.

Many young scholars admired him as a role model and called him “Baekeuijungseong.” Myeongjae Historic House is the place where Yun Jeung lived his whole life.

Myeongjae Historic House, located at Gyeochon-ri, Noseong-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungnam, is the typical house of Yangban (upper class noble men), and it has an Anchae (main building), a Sarangchae (guest house), a Daemunganchae (gate house), and a Sadang area (shrine). Having Noseong Mountain in back, Myeongjae Historic House embraces 300 years of history. Interestingly, since it has no fence, one may enter the Sarangchae directly without opening the gate, which is very rare in the Korean traditional house structure.

The house which bulged like a navel is the Sarangchae, a small but elegant wooden building. The beauty of Myeongae Historic House is a Janggimun (a door) between a big room and a small room, characteristic of the Anngojigi style.

In addition to the Saranchae, there is a Jangdokdae (platform), where a series of jars are gathered, and it creates great view with combination of old trees, a stone wall and chimney.

At Myeongjae Historic House, people can experience staying in a hanok with a detached thatched house, the big Sarangbang, Annesarangbang, and Gunneobang.

You can make a reservation for accommodations, so people can stay overnight and experience the Hanok’s tradition and atmosphere.

Address : 50, Noseongsanseong-gil, Noseong-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do

 

Sagye Historic House in Gyeryong
A representative writer in the middle of the Chosun period, Sagye(沙溪, a pen name) Jangseung Kim(金長生, 1548~1631) was a student of Yulgok Lee and a teacher of Siyeol Song.

Regarding the heart of people to the highest degree (人心), Kim wanted to suggest practical for the people to practice “Tao(道)” which he believed served as a basis societal customs and ethics.

In the spring of 1602, Jangseung Kim resigned from a high government position, came home, and built a house at Gaeryong-si, which is the current “Sagye Historic House in Gyeryong(沙溪古宅).”

He lived in Sagye Historic House in Gyeryong with a spacious field focusing on studying hard and fostering the young generation until he passed away.

The graceful hanok, Sagye Historic House in Gyeryong  includes Annchae, Sarangchae, Annsarangchae, Gokganchae, Gwangchae, Munganchae, Hangrangchae.

Entering the main gate, there is a Sarangchae named Eunnongchae (Chungnam Tangible Cultural Heritage no. 134) in the middle of the house. While not luxurious, it gracefully welcomes visitors.

Eunnongjae(隱農齋) was a guest house where students of Confucianism used to stay, but it was renovated into a facility including a video room, a learning center, and a center for practicing manners & etiquette.

One of the best parts of the Sagye Historic House in Gyeryong is the back yard. Climbing up to Gunojeong beside the pond, you can find a phrase which represents Sagye’s life philosophy:“if you don’t read every day, you will get a sore in your mouth.

Even though you have millions nyang (a unit of old Korean coinage), it is no better than a well-educated child.”  

Address: 122-4, Sagye-ro, Duma-myeon, Gyeryong-si, Chuncheongnam-do