Not only did Buddhism play an important role in the history of Gunwi, Confucianism also had some influence in this county.
The Uiheunghyanggyodaeseongjeon (Daeseongjeon shrine of Uiheunghyanggyo) Provincial Tangible Cultural Properties #198 is situated in Eumnae-ri, Uiheung-myeon. The Daeseongjeon Building of the Uiheung-Hyanggyo (Confucian School) was a public educational institute that also functioned as a Confucian shrine during the Goguryo(918-1392) and Joseon(1392-1910) periods. This was first established in 1392 in Subuk-dong near here, but was destroyed during the Japanese Invasion of 1592-98 and which was reconstructed. It was then moved here later and reconstructed in 1641.
Daeseongjeon, the shrine where memorial tablets for Confucius and his disciples are enshrined, is a three by three kan structure (kan is a traditional unit of measure referring to the space between two columns) with a gabled roof.
The round pillars stand on square plinths and the eaves are bracketed in a column head style.
The roof is noted for the employment of complicated supports for the collar beam.
The memorial tablets in the shrine are the only original ones in the province.
They escaped the destructive fires of the Japanese invaders as they were hidden in a cave in Mt.Seonamsan during the war. The Uiheunghyanggyodaeseongjeon (Daeseongjeon shrine of Uiheunghyanggyo) Provincial Tangible Cultural Properties #198 is situated in Eumnae-ri, Uiheung-myeon.
The Daeseongjeon Building of the Uiheung-Hyanggyo (Confucian School) was a public educational institute that also functioned as a Confucian shrine during the Goguryo (918-1392) and Joseon(1392-1910) periods. This was first established in 1392 in Subuk-dong near here, but was destroyed during the Japanese Invasion of 1592-98 and which was reconstructed. It was then moved here later and reconstructed in 1641.
Daeseongjeon, the shrine where memorial tablets for Confucius and his disciples are enshrined, is a three by three kan structure (kan is a traditional unit of measure referring to the space between two columns) with a gabled roof.
The round pillars stand on square plinths and the eaves are bracketed in a column head style.
The roof is noted for the employment of complicated supports for the collar beam.
The memorial tablets in the shrine are the only original ones in the province.
They escaped the destructive fires of the Japanese invaders as they were hidden in a cave in Mt.Seonamsan during the war.
Hwasansanseong, a Castle Site, Monuments #47 can be found in Hwabuk-ri, Goro-myeon. The construction of a fortress was started here in 1709, during the reign of King Sukjong by Yun Suk, a military commander.
However it was never completed, because of widespread disease among the residents of the area and repeated poor harvests.
The remains of the north gate and the drainage system reveal much about the building of mountain fortresses during the mid-Joseon period.
There are also traces of a double drainage system, arched gates and parts of a rock-covered, earthen wall.
Hwichanyeosamokpan(the Wood printing block of Hwichanyeosa) classical books consisting of 830 sheets, Provincial Tangible Cultural Properties #251 belonging to the Burim Hong Clan is kept at 296 Namsan-ri, Bugye-myeon.
This pavilion, Gunwidaeyullidaecheong (Daecheong in Daeyul-ri,Gunwi,) Provincial Tangible Cultural Properties #262 Provincial Tangible Cultural Properties #262 is in Daeyul-ri, Bugye-myeon.
I could find only one festival mentioned in the county’s homepage, the Ilyeon Samgukyusa Cultural Festival. It is celebrated every year on the 8th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar at the Ingaksa Temple which now serves as a sanctuary of long history and brilliant culture. There will be many programs held including a sacrificial service to the Great Priest Ilyeon.
What is the Samguk Yusa? It is a printed book consisting of 6 volumes bound in 2 books. The date of compilation is unknown but it is estimated to be between 1281 and 1283. Until now, the wooden blocks of Koryo have not been discovered; the complete version was reissued by the Gyeongju governor Lee Gye-Bok in 1512.The book, together with Samguk Sagi, compiled by Kim Busik, are the oldest historical chronicles of Korea that exists today.
Samguk Sagi was an official historical chronicle commissioned by the Emperor which was written by a military officer .It was written stylishly with nicely arranged fluent and brilliant expressions whereas the Samguk Yusa was an unofficial one, written by an individual Zen priest, Ilyeon, where the writing style was not that brilliant. Choe Nam-Seon whose pen name was Yuktang once criticized the book and even said “if I had to make a decision between Samguk Sagi and Samguk Yusa, I would not hesitate, but pick the latter.”
However, the Samguk Yusa contains a value that cannot be found in the Samguk Sagi.
Samguk Yusa and Samguk Sagi are history books of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea Goguryo, Baekje and Silla, but form history together with the Gojoseon records, Wiman Joseon (last dynasty of Gojoseon) and Gaya (confederacy of territorial polities). Especially important are the records of Gojoseon that describes 5000 years of Korean history and the Dangun legend, the founder of the first Korean kingdom. If these records did not exist, then the Koreans would have no choice but to base their history before the Samguk time, on the historical materials of China, like the chapter of Dongyi in the Book of Wei. Furthermore, Samguk Yusa did not match the writing norms of that time. This is the reason why this book has become an even more valuable treasure.
Samguk Yusa contains many legends, including the Dangun legend. Samguk Yusa is indeed the only book that writes about the legends and ancient folktales and is truly a piece of record of the Koreans’ narrative literature. Furthermore, 14 Hyanggas (poems written in the native writing system) are recorded in the Samguk Yusa; together with 11 poems recorded in the Gyunyeojeon, they are considered jewels and are the most important treasures of writing. The number of recorded Hyanggas are few and Samguk Yusa is unique in that it containsg what Sam Dae Mok, known as the book of compiled Hyanggas, does not have. Moreover, it contains many records that were lost or intentionally left out in the Samguk Sagi. Abundant materials of Buddhism, as well as many aspects of religion, ideology, customs, anecdotes, etc are precious materials.
Due to the fact that the writer compiling this book was not a military officer, but a Buddhist monk, the contents vary sometimes in comparison with the reference books, or falsely passed on material that were gathered and recorded. Therefore, this book is, as the title suggests is just a compilation of existing stories.
Picture ofJangsajinuibyeongjanyujeok(Relics of Jang Sajin) Monuments #122 stretching from Ocheon-ri to Byeongsu-ri, in Hyoryeong-myeon.
Mt.Palgonsan, Mt.Amisan and Dongsan Valley produce some very beautiful natural views in Gunwi.
Gwangseokjae Provincial Cultural Properties Materials #214 in Bonghwang-ri, Sobo-myeon is an Ancestral Shrine
Gunwihyanggyo Cultural Properties Materials #185 in Dongbu-ri, Gunwi-eup are 6 Units of the Confucian School
Gunwi is well known for its fruits like apples pears and grapes; vegetables like garlic, onions, corn, and cucumbers and other food products like sesame oil, apple juice and traditional oil-and-honey pastry.
Gunwi Apple, produced at the foot of Mt.Palgongsan, are very sweet and of high quality.
Golden Pear, cultivated by organic farming, features high sugar content and rich fruit juice.
Gunwi Onion has softer but thinker cortex than that produced in other regions, so that it has good storability.
Gunwi Garlic tastes very hot and is juicy, Its bulb is so solid that it has good storability.
Chemical-free Cucumbers are fresh and taste good and are exported to foreign countries. Only organic manure is used to fertilize the plants.
Daecheong Watermelons are very sweet.
Lastly I want to introduce you to the Gunwi Arts and Sports Center which the people of Gunwi are very proud of. Satisfying the area's cultural needs as well as aiding in the creation of regional culture, the Gunwi Arts & Sports Center is equipped with performance halls, exhibition rooms, a reference room, and an outdoor square, as well as the Sungdeok Remains Exhibition Hall. And so ends our visit to Gunwi, the Garden City.
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