| Gangneung
Hyanggyo (14th century onward) other
sites in Gangneung |
Gangneung, Korea |
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Gangneung Hyanggyo is the largest of the provincial Hyanggyo (state-sponsored schools) and has maintained its original form. It is uncertain when it was built for the first time, but in general, its present appearance dates back to the 5th year of King Chungseon of the Goryeo Dynasty (1313) when government official Kim Seungin, who had been dispatched here, built it at the foot of Mt. Hwabusan. It was destroyed by fire in 1411 (the 11th year of King Taejong of Joseon), and was rebuilt two years later at the recommendation of Yi Maengsang, an administrative official of Dohobu (a district ranked between the lower 'Mok' class and the upper 'Gun' class in Joseon period) in the Gangwon-do area. Later, it underwent several repairs. It is a typical Jeonhakhumyo-type (literally, school in front, shrine in back) hyanggyo in that the Confucian school, Myeongnyundang Hall, is at the front and the Confucian shrine, Daeseongjeon Hall, is at the back.
In 1909, the third year of King Sunjong (1907-10) the Hyanggyo was turned into a school for teaching Western studies and renamed Hwasan School. It was closed by the Japanese the next year, who appropriated the facilities as a sericulture training center. The present facilities include the Myeongnyundang Lecture Hall, dormitories and the Daeseongjeon--the main hall where memorial tablets of Confucius and other Chinese sages are kept. There are also some auxiliary facilities necessary for the performance of ritual memorial services.
(Designated National Treasure No. 214).
Bibliography:
All images copyright 2004 Tim Ciccone
The author wishes to thank Lee Baek-kyu, a local resident, for his broad knowledge of Gangneung history and assistance in visiting numerous local sites.
Cultural Properties Administration