OJUKHEON HOUSE

This beautiful Joseon complex was the home of Sin Saimdang, a great artist and one of Joseon's most respected women. The house is now one of the oldest wooden houses still preserved. We can still see parts of the house where Sin Saimdang lived until his marriage. It was here that Sin Saimdang gave birth to his son Yi I, also known as the Yulgok pen. He is known as one of the most important neo-Confucian philosophers of that time. On the sarangche (work and study room) are calligraphies executed by Kim Jeong-heui, one of Joseon's greatest calligraphers. A small museum exhibits the remaining works of Sin Saimdang, some original, others reproductions. The small Ojegak pavilion was built in 1788 to house the Gyeongmongyogyeol, a famous book by Yulgok for learning Chinese characters, as well as the ink stone he used. An old building houses the Mongnyongsil, the room where Yulgok was born on 26 December 1536. Her mother had dreamt the day before of a black dragon entering her room, an excellent omen for the child, hence the name of this room ("dragon's dream room"). Munseongsa Hall was built by President Park Chung-hee in the 1970s to house Yulgok's portrait. He also did the calligraphy hanging above the door. The Yulgokje festival is held every year on 26 October in this place in memory of the philosopher.