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Namgan Jeongsa & Gigukjeong 남간정사 (南澗精舍) (built mid 17th-century onward)

Namgan Jeongsa is the place where Song Si-yeol (1607-1689), one of the foremost scholars of the Joseon dynasty, educated and raised his followers. The building sits at the edge of a small pond and faces south toward the sunlight. It was designed to allow the water from a nearby stream to flow under the main hall of the house and into the pond in the front yard. The sound of water splashing suffuses the site and can be heard from inside the house. It must have provided a relaxing background noise for the students who used to study here. Today, the pavilion remains noteworthy as an excellent example of Joseon dynasty landscape architecture.

This spot is also where Song Si-yeol, with the blessing of King Hyojong (1649-59), secretly developed a plan for Joseon to attack Qing China, which had just overthrown the Ming. As an uncompromising Ming loyalist, Song Si-yeol believed that the alien Manchu dynasty did not deserve the throne of the Celestial Kingdom. Because of the dangers of openly opposing the Qing, Song Si-yeol even broke court protocol and held a secret audience with King Hyojong in which they discussed the feasability of a reconquest of China. This daring plan was abandoned immediately after Hyojong's death since most scholars feared (probably rightly) that Korea was in no position to mount such a campaign, let alone succeed.

Gigukjeong pavilion sits on the side of the pond opposite Namgan Jeongsa. It originally sat on the grounds of Song Si-yeol's natal home, but was moved here during the Japanese occupation of the early 20th century.

(Designated City Tangible Cultural Property #4).

Location

Location: 36.347694' N, 127.45665' E (WGS 84 map datum). Address: 대전 동구 가양동 65.