Yangdong Folk Village

Yangdong Folk Village (Korean: 경주양동민속마을), or Yangdong Village of Gyeongju, is a traditional yangban (Korean Aristocracy) village from the Joseon dynasty.^[1] The village is located in Gangdong-myeon, sixteen kilometers northeast of Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, along the Hyeongsan River. Mt. Seolchang stands to the north of the village. The village is designated as Important Folklore Materials No. 189 by the South Korean government.^[1]

Yangdong Village

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Yangdong Village
Location	Gangdong-myeon, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
Part of	Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
Reference	1324-003
Inscription	2010 (34th Session)
Area	91.6 ha (226 acres)
Buffer zone	237.4 ha (587 acres)
Coordinates	36°0′7″N 129°15′12″E / 36.00194°N 129.25333°E / 36.00194; 129.25333
Korean name
Hangul	경주양동민속마을
Hanja	慶州良洞民俗마을
Revised Romanization	Gyeongju Yangdong Minsok Ma-eul
McCune–Reischauer	Kyǒngju Yangdong Minsok Maŭl
Location of Yangdong Folk Village in South Korea

A view at the entrance of the village

A man in hanbok, traditional Korean costume weaving a basket in Yangdong village

The size, degree of preservation, numerous cultural assets, traditionalism, beautiful natural setting all contribute to the importance of Yangdong Village. It is also a fine example of the yangban (Korean aristocracy) lifestyle and Neo-Confucian traditions.^[1]

The village is listed by the South Korean government with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site with Hahoe Folk Village in 2010.^[2]

Overview

The village was founded by Son So (孫昭 1433–1484).^[3] The household of the Wolseong Son clan was placed on an auspicious site according to Korean theories of pungsu (geomancy). Son So and his wife, the daughter of Yu Bok Ha had a daughter who married Yi Beon of the Yeogang Yi family. The marriage produced one of the eighteen sages of Korea, Yi Unjeok. The village of Yangdong has continued since its auspicious beginning in the 15th century.^{[citation needed]}

Although some of the village is unoccupied today, the overall the village has over 160 tile-roofed and thatched-roof homes built throughout the dense forest. Fifty-four historic homes over 200 years old have also been preserved. The village preserves folk customs as well as traditional buildings of traditional Joseon dynasty architecture. Seobaekodang is the primary home of the Wolseong Son Family. Mucheomdang, is the primary house of the Yeogang Yi family.^[4] Hyangdan is National Treasure No. 412.^[5] Ihayangjeon and Simsujeong pavilions, and the Ganghakdang village school are also notable structures of the village as well as Gwangajeong^[6] and Sonsoyeongjeong.^[7] Tonggamsokpyeon, a book printed on movable metal type and National Treasure No. 283,^[8] is also located in the village. A picture of the village as you enter it.

Important folk materials at the village include:

• Seobaekdang (No. 23)^{[citation needed]}
• Nakseondang^[9]
• Sahodang^[10]
• Sangchunheon^[11]
• Geunam Manor^[12]
• Dugok Manor^[13]
• Sujoldang^[14]
• Ihyangjeong^[15]
• Suunjeong^[16]
• Simsujeong^[17]
• Allakjeong^[18]
• Ganghakdang^[19]

Other cultural properties include:

• Jeokgae Gongsin Nonsang Rokgwan (Tangible Cultural Property No. 13)^{[citation needed]}
• Sonso's Will (Tangible Cultural Property No. 14)^{[citation needed]}
• Pine Tree in Yangdong^[20]
• Daeseongheon^[21]
• Son Jong-ro Jeongchungbigak (Cultural Asset Material No. 261)^{[citation needed]}
• Gyeongsan Seodang (Folk Cultural Asset Material)^{[citation needed]}
• Dugok Yeongdang (Folk Cultural Asset Material).^{[citation needed]}

The village follows the topography of the mountains and valleys and is shaped like an auspicious Hanja character. This arrangement has been carefully preserved. The homes of the Wolseong Son and Yeogang Yi clans, as well as their descendants' homes are located on the high ground of the mountains and valleys. The lower-class homes, characterized by their thatched roofs were built on lower ground. The village's organization highlights the severe social stratification characteristic of Joseon dynasty society. Prince Charles visited Yangdong in 1993.^[22]

Gallery

•  
•  
•  
•  

  Traditional houses in the village

•  

  View of the village

•  

  Townhouse

•  

  Pavilion Gwangajeong

See also

• Hahoe Folk Village

References

1. 경주양동마을 慶州良洞─ (in Korean). Doosan Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
2. UNESCO World Cultural Heritage : Hahoe and Yangdong
3. "손소(孫昭) - 한국민족문화대백과사전". encykorea.aks.ac.kr.
4. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
5. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
6. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
7. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
8. . Archived from the original on 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
9. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
10. . Archived from the original on 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
11. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
12. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
13. . Archived from the original on 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
14. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
15. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
16. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
17. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
18. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
19. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
20. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
21. . Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
22. . VisitKorea. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-09-09.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Yangdong Folk Village (category)

• Website of Yangdong Village
• UNESCO
• Visit Korea
• World Heritage in Korea (pdf)