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Open-Air Exhibition

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CYBER GALLERY
Open-Air Exhibition

Gwangamdang Cultural Property Data No. 90 of Gyeonggi-do

Yi Wonik lived frugally in a small, humble thatched house even though forty years had passed since he had become a prime minister. For that reason King Injo gifted him with a house, and asked his officials and people to follow Yi Wonik's integrity and frugal life in 1630(8th year of King Injo's reign). Gwangamdang is the house from the king. Yi Wonik spent his later years in it, but it's main building was destroyed by fire during the Chinese Invasion of Joseon in 1637. It was rebuilt in 1694(20th year of King Sukjong's reign) in memory of the 60th year of his death, and renovated by his tenth-generation son, Yi Yeoncheon, in 1916. Gwangamdang is not luxurious but simple, and consists of indispensable spaces for life. These features look like his personality very much. Gwangamdang reflects the life of Yi Wonik, as a man who planted a Chinese arborvitae in the garden, played the geomungo("Korean harp with six strings") on Tangeumam, and enjoyed elegant amusements, as well as a public official who fulfilled his duties uprightly.

General View of Gwangamdang

As following the alley outside the jongga, there appears the inner gate of Gwangamdang. Inside the gate, there is the front yard with a Chinese arborvitae tree and the Tangeumam. Gwangamdang seen from the road toward the pavilion looks as quiet as can be, but, if spring comes, it is full of peony blossoms. Except the east side of Gwangamdang where the main building is located, the other sides are surrounded by nature, so diverse beautiful sceneries can be appreciated in the house by season.

Structure of Gwangamdang

After the two restoration works, Gwangamdang has the present structure as large as four kans ("a unit of structure size") in length and two kans in width. In the east and west sides of the main floored room, there are floor-heated rooms. The main floored room is equipped with doors that open upward for the purpose of feeling the nature more closely, as well as preparing for the hot weather in summer. The ceiling exposes its frames, but they are strongly assembled without nailing. It is surprising that, to reduce moisture from the ground, the building was wisely constructed on the terrace stones of several layers, inside which ventilation facility was equipped toward the yard outside the house. Under the deep eaves, the hanging board on which 'Sajesisanggyo' is written, welcomes visitors.

Stylishness of Gwangamdang

Gwangamdang seen over the Tangeumam is full of elegance of an old house, featuring the paljakjibung ("gabled-and-hipped roof") which resembles a mountain, and the roof-tiles which are densely laid on it. The Chinese arborvitae which was planted by Yi Wonik beside the place for playing the geomungo proves the antiquity of the house. And Gwangamdang seen from the yard looks plain without any ostensible decorations. Although it has never been smartened up on purpose, its graceful, simple appearance contains every beauty of the Korean traditional house.