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17course
Chungcheong Elites
Eight Wise Men of Cheongju
17 COURSE
Chungcheong Elites
Eight Wise Men of Cheongju
17 COURSE
Cheongju
heongju is one of the biggest cities of the Chungcheong-do Province and where the province got its name from. The region had a school of scholars called the “Hoseo Sarim” who were part of the mainstream in Neo-Confucianism. The most famous scholars were called “Nangseong Palhyeon,” which means “eight virtuous scholars living in Nangseong,” referring to another name of Cheongju.
“Seogye” Yi Deuk-yun, who was one of the eight scholars picked as most influential, was one of the leaders of the Cheongju group of scholars. Coming from Cheongju’s Miwon-myeon county, where the Gyeongju Yi clan lived during the mid-Joseon period, Yi was credited for providing the economic and social foundation that allowed the Giho school of Neo-Confucianism to take off and advancing the Kim Jang-saeng’s studies in “Yehak,” or the “Study of Rites.”
Treasure of Nine-Curve Valley Okhwa Gugok
The name Okhwa, which means “jade beads in the middle of a field,” emphasizes the beauty of the landscape. The valley was long treasured by Confucian scholars in Cheongju, who said the scenery inspired their studies and rejuvenated their body and mind.
It was Confucian scholar “Seogye” Yi Deuk-yun, who studied in the area and picked the nine most beautiful spots in the valley. Yi was praised for his work when he governed Goesan on behalf of the king, and his son and grandson also spent much time in the valley while living humble lives. Song Si-yeol and his friend Hong Seok-gi built Huunjeong Pavilion right below Sinseonbong Peak and used the structure for leisure and arts.
Location | Around Miwon-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
Origin | 1609
Purpose | Sightseeing, Contemplation
On the Way to Okhwadae Pavilion Okhwaseowon Confucian Academy
The Okhwaseowon Confucian Academy is located on the right side of Cheongyeongdae Pavilion, near the Okhwa Gugok Valley. Okhwaseowon was built in 1717 to enshrine the tablets of scholars such as “Seogye” Yi Deuk-yun, “Juiljae” Yun Seung-im, “Okgye” Park Gon-won and “Mandonam” Yun Sacheol.
The structure named “Juiljae” in front of the shrine houses the calligraphy of Song Si-yeol, who wrote “Juiljaejam” and “Okhwadaemyeong” in 1674, and a 1760 writing of Song Hwan-gi, who wrote “Juiljaejunggeongi.”
Okhwadae Pavilion Favored by Female Philosopher Yunjidang
Im Yunjidang was one of the most famous female Neo-Confucian thinkers of the Joseon period who spent much of her childhood in the area around Okhwadae. She moved to the rural village of Okhwa in Cheongju with her family when she was nine following the death of her father. She and her brother, “Nongmun” Im Seong-ju, spent years advancing their studies here, which later contributed to the development of Neo-Confucianism.
Location | 50 Okhwa 2-gil, Miwon-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | 1717
Purpose | Education, Memorial Service
Tracing Ancestors’ Footsteps Mangyeongjeong, Chuwoljeong, Sesimjeong
On the way from Okhwadae Pavilion to the Okwaseowon Confucian Academy, travelers can visit three scenic pavilions -- Chuwoljeong, Mangyeongjeong and Sesimjeong. Chuwoljeong means the “moon in fall,” Mangyeongjeong means a “place that can look over anywhere” and Sesimjeong means a place “to clear the mind.” These pavilions were where scholars sought connection with nature and tried to rejuvenate their bodies and minds after retiring from government service.
Location | 132-2, Okhwa-ri, Miwon-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | Early Joseon
Purpose | Sightseeing, Rest
Chuwoljeong Pavilion
Purpose | Sightseeing, Rest
Sesimjeong Pavilion
Location | 137-1 Okhwa-ri, Miwon-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | 1646
Purpose | Sightseeing, Rest