Sosweawon

Sosweawon is the typical garden of the middle Joseon Dynasty. It is located in the southern Jeollanam-do Damyang-gun Nam-myeon in the south of Korea.This garden harmonizes with nature in characteristic traditional Korean style. Clean waters in the valley flow below the wall and fall through the small cataract into the lake.

This place can be said to be a cultivating house of scholar spirit in that many Confucian scholars discussed academic subjects and wrote their works here.

History

The Sosweawon was originally constructed by Yang san Bo and when it was built from the end of 1520 to the middle of 1530. Yang san bo gave up government posts after his teacher who named Jo Gwang jo (1482~1519) was exiled and died for GiMyo-sahwa. So Yang made this garden to seclude himself from social position. The part of the this was burnt down during the Japanese invasions of Korea, but the buildings were reconstructed by Descendants, and the present Sosweawon was renovated by Yang Taek-Ji, Yang san-bo's descendent in the fifth generation.A map of Sosweawon remains. It is carved on wood in the 31st year of King Yeongjo(1755), and show the original design of the garden.

Structure

Jewol PavilionJewol Pavilion is a house for the host and means "bright moon after rainning".

Gwangpung PavilionGwangpung Pavilion is a house for guests and means "bright sun and fresh wind after rainning".

Daebong PavilionDaebong Pavilion is located at high hill of Sosweawon. It means the luck of phoenix is regarded as the good news.

References

[* Official site http://www.soswaewon.org/] * Do-san encycopedia.com
* 담양 소쇄원 남해 금산 명승지정, " Shegye daily news 2008.05.04

External Links

* [http://www.soswaewon.org (Official site )]
* [http://www.art.go.kr]