Yangdong Folk Village

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List

Yangdong Village
Type Cultural
Criteria iii, iv
Reference 1324
UNESCO region Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 2010 (34th Session)
Yangdong Folk Village
Hangul 경주양동민속마을
Hanja 慶州良洞民俗마을
Revised Romanization Gyeongju Yangdong Minsok Ma-eul
McCune–Reischauer Kyǒngju Yangdong Minsok Maŭl

Yangdong Folk Village (Yangdong Village of Gyeongju) is a traditional 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]

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.

Overview

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

The village was founded by Son So (孫昭 1433-1484). 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 Yangdon has continued since its auspicious beginning in the 15th century.

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.[2] Hyangdan is National Treasure No. 412.[3] Ihayangjeon and Simsujeong pavilions, and the Ganghakdang village school are also notable structures of the village as well as Gwangajeong[4] and Sonsoyeongjeong.[5] Tonggamsokpyeon, a book printed on movable metal type and National Treasure No. 283,[6] is also located in the village. A picture of the village as you enter it.

Important folk materials at the village include:

Other cultural properties include:

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 Yu 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.[20]

A view at the entrance of the village

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 경주양동마을 慶州良洞─ (in Korean). Doosan Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  2. ↑ Treasure No. 411
  3. ↑ National Treasure No. 412
  4. ↑ Treasure No. 442
  5. ↑ Treasure No. 1216
  6. ↑ National Treasure No. 283
  7. ↑ No. 73
  8. ↑ No. 74
  9. ↑ No. 75
  10. ↑ No. 76
  11. ↑ No. 77
  12. ↑ No. 78
  13. ↑ No. 79
  14. ↑ No. 80
  15. ↑ No. 81
  16. ↑ No. 82
  17. ↑ No. 82
  18. ↑ Monuments No. 8
  19. ↑ Folk Material No. 34
  20. ↑ "Gyeongju Yangdong Village". VisitKorea. Retrieved 2013-09-09.

External links

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Coordinates: 36°0′4″N 129°15′12″E / 36.00111°N 129.25333°E / 36.00111; 129.25333

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