Holiday Journal

• Start
•  
• Asan Hyeonchungsa Shrine
•  
• Mediterranean village
•  
• Menya matsuri
•  
• Oeam Folk Village
•  
• Spa
•  
• Caravan
•  
• World Botanical Garden
•  
• Cheongwadae Three Generation
•  
• Yun Bo-seon and his birthplace
•  
• Pyeongtaek International Joongang Market
•  
• Finish

Yi Sun-shin is the figure who has been honored by Koreans for a long time. He studies for civil service literary examinations from 10 to 20 years, but he startied to study for the military service examination. He passed the examination when he was 31 years old. He just served as an army in frontier Hamgyong province. But his life changed after he had served as naval force and army for several times. He was appointed to naval forces jeoldosa 14 months before Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. Now here we go!

The yard in front of Hyeonchungsa Shrine has been covered with snow. So maybe I can take a lot of pictures.

You will meet “Admiral Yi Sun-shin memorial hall” in front of Hyeonchungsa Shrine at first. You can see a lot of national treasures and relics related with admiral Yi Sun-shin. You may learn his life story in history book. But you would learn his life story more in detail here.

Wow~ This book is “ChungmooYigong jeonjindocheop” that consists of word shapes. It introduces ten kinds of battle formations. “Hakik-jin”, which is famous for Korean people, is on the left. It is the battle formation that is used to attack enemies by surrounding them.

Besides, a number of books are being displayed. The left upper end is “Imjinjangcho”, the right upper end is “Seogancheop” and the right under is “Nanjoongilgi”. All of them have been registered to No. 76 national treasure.

The left under is “Gyoji”, the certification that was given by king when admiral Yi Sun-shin passed the military service examination in 1576. It is No. 1564-7 treasure. After passing the military service examination, admiral Yi Sun-shin was appointed low ranking official in the frontier of Hamgyong province. He worked there for three years, and was appointed higher ranking official in Seoul. But he was demoted to a less important post after eight months because he revolted against his boss's irregularity. Yu Seong-ryong, the writer of “Jingbilock”, paid attention to this incident. He was a disciple of Toegye Yi Whang, and had important government posts at that time. Since then, he had influence on the life of Yi Sun-shin.

His portrait is drawn in the front side of 100 won coin of Korea. It is so proud. The book on the right is “Jingbilock”(No. 132 national treasure). Yu Seong-ryong wrote the book for self-reflection after Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592.

You would pass “Chungmumun” after entering the memorial hall. And you can see Hyeonchungsa Shrine and his old house. There were a few people in the snowy morning except me. I will step on all of new snow!

He got a great opportunity when he worked for central office group. Yulgok Yi I, the most important figure at that time except king, wanted to see him. Yu Seong-ryong told him about this, but Yi Sun-shin refused the suggestion because Yulgok Yi I controled personnel right. Even though Yi Sun-shin served as low ranking official, he refused the proposal of high ranking official. His attitude would suggest great meaning to modern people.

You can see the pavilion named “Jeongryeo” on the right after entering “Chungmumun” again. “Jeongryeo” is the building to let people know the stories about loyal subject, devoted son and virtuous woman. There are five plaques for Yi Sun-shin, his son and his offspring. What a great family!

I was so excited with clean snow. I rolled over the snow field, and departed again.

Wow! There is a huge Bansong pine tree in the middle of the village. It is a kind of pine tree whose stem grows from under. It is about 110 years old, and I was so surprised with the size. It is awesome.

You can find the old house of Yi Sun-shin when you walk for a while from Bansong pine tree. Yi Sun-shin was given the house by his father-in-law when he was 21 years old. He lived the house until he passed the military service examination. There is a family shrine on the back side of house, so ancestral rite is held every year.

There are two old ginkgo trees next to the house which are over 500 years old. Yi Sun-shin practiced archery here. These ginkgo trees would watch body carring after he was dead in the naval battle at Noryang.

You can see Hyeonchungsa Shrine that honors the spirit of Yi Sun-shin on the left side of Bansong pine tree. It was built by Confucian scholars of Asan in 1706, andKing Sukjong presented signboard named “Hyeonchungsa Shrine”. It was about to be sold in Japanese colonial era, but it was protected by Korean citizens all around the country.

You can see the portrait of Yi Sun-shin after going up the stairs. But I couldn't dare take a pictures of him. During Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Japanese enemy invaded Busanpo port, and destroyed the life of subjects for seven years. Seoul was fell after a fortnight´s absence, and the King Seonjo ran away to the riverside of Amnokgang. Joseon was about to be collapsed. However, Yi Sun-shin won 20 battles from Battle of Okpo to the naval battle at Noryang. He successfully blocked the supply route of Japanese enemy, and won a victory. So I cannot take a camera in front of his portrait.

Does Yi Sun-shin still overlook the downtown of Asan in his house? He didn't obey the order of king to attack Japanese enemy, so he was arrested. He wrote a diary(Nanjoongilgi) at that time. “It is sunny day. I was released from jail. I talked to my family in the house of the servant of Yoongan outside Sungnyemun gate. I met many high ranking officials, and drank with them. Yu Seong-ryong and other people sent people for greeting.”

Maybe, he didn't mean to write a diary to make a book. He just wrote the fact, excluding his feeling. It doesn't seem to be a diary written by victimized person. I think his composure made him a great admiral.

A pine tree in front of a red gate with spiked top makes a roof. I don't know how to write about it.

War was outbroken again in 1597. It is called Jeongyujaeran. The naval forces of Joseon was annihilated after Won Gyun defeated in Battle of Chilcheollyang. The Japanese enemy passed by Namwon and Jeonju, and advanced to Seoul. So Joseon government reappointed Yi Sun-shin to Samdo naval force supervisor. The king apologized Yi Sun-shin for lowering his position. But only 13 ships were left to the naval force of Joseon. However, he achieved miraculous victory in Battle of Myeongnyang. He wrote some word before the war, “If you want to die, you will live. If you want to live, you will die.”

On a sunny day, he received the letter about his son's death. He might have cried before he read the letter, because “wail” is written on the envelope. I could sympathize with his sorrow.

His life ended in the naval battle at Noryang when Japanese invasions of Korea were over. He became a high ranking official after he was dead. The picture above is “The gyoji of a prime minister of the Joseon dynasty “ which was given by King Joengjo.(No. 1564-16 treasure) He became the most greatest hero in Korea after his bronze statue was set up, and Hyeonchungsa Shrine was reconstructed. Why don't you spend your day while thinking about him?

+ Address: Baegam-ri 100, Yeomchi-eup, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+ Contact information: 041-539-4600
+ Operation hour: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (to 6 p.m. in summer season) Every monday is closed.
+ Addmission fee: free

Address: 충청남도 아산시 염치읍 백암리 100 / 대한민국 충청남도 아산시 염치읍 백암리 100