Axomometric drawings
Aerial view of Hyangdan House.
Image copyright 2003 Timothy M. Ciccone.
Axonometric view of interior space of Hyangdan House.
Image copyright 2003 Timothy M. Ciccone.
Photo Gallery
Hyangdan House - 향단 (香壇) (1543 onward)
Hyangdan house sits on a prominent hill in Yangdong village, commanding a fine view of the fields below. It was built in 1543 when Yi Eonjeok (1491-1553), a noted Confucian scholar, served as governor of Gyeongsang-do province in the mid Joseon (Chosôn) dynasty. The plan of the house is unusually compact. The anchae, or inner quarters, is composed of two small courtyards. Attached to this is the sarangchae, or outer quarters, where the men of the family spent their time and entertained guests. Together, the two sections of the house create the Chinese character for "moon"—considered an auspicious shape for a nobleman's house.
In front of the main house and several meters lower sits the haengnangchae, or servant's quarters, arranged in a long line. This section of the house served as a buffer dividing the house from the land around it. Visitors approaching the house would first pass through the imposing main gate and then into the front courtyard of the haengnangchae. If servants permitted, the visitor could then enter into the sarangmadang (sarangchae courtyard) through a side entrance.
The form of the house is a perfect diagram of the idealized social order of the Joseon dynasty, with its rigid distinctions between male and female, outer and inner, young and old, servant and master.
Address: 경북 경주시 강동면 양동리 135.
(Designated Treasure #412).
Bibliography:
All images copyright 2002 Timothy M. Ciccone
Information from signposts on site
Hong, Hyung-Ock et al. Hanoak: Traditional Korean Homes.
Hollym, 1999. Seoul
Nilsen, Robert South Korea Handbook
Moon Travel Publications, 1997. Hong Kong
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Hello, it looks beautiful this folk village. I am going to travel to South Korea. Which folk village do you recommend me, if I have to choose one: the one in Hahoe (Andong) or the one in Yandong? If I see one of them, is it worth seeing the other or will be more of the same? I only have one week to travel so I must choose carefully the places I go. Thanks in advance. Javier
Good question. I have been to both villages 3 or 4 times over a span of as many years. Both villages have their merits, but if I were there for only a week, I would choose Yangdong. Hahoe village is one of the chief attractions promoted to foreign tourists, so it is often mobbed with visitors. Also, an overly ambitious restoration program was carried out in the mid-2000s that has damaged some of the village's traditional character. At least as late as 2007 (when I last visited), Yangdong remains more authentic and serene. The sites are also more accessible--if you ask politely many of the home owners will allow you to take photos since they take pride in owning historic dwellings. Also keep in mind that Yangdong is only a half hour from Gyeongju, the seat of Korea's Silla kingdom in the first milllenium. While in the area, it's also worth visiting Oksan Seowon academy (filed under Gyeongju on this website) and the adjacent Dongnakdang house.