Jirisan-Sancheong 1. Donguibogam Village

2. Namsa Yedamchon Village

3. Historic Site of Jo Sik

Donguibogam Village Donguibogam 1. About Donguibogam Village Village

Welcome to Donguibogam Village. This is a tourist site that focuses on health and well-being. With a distinct bent towards Oriental medicine, you can take a look around the museum, garden for growing medicinal plants, and the theme park. In addition, here at this village, you will have the opportunity to see Donguibogam, an encyclopedic bible of medical knowledge and treatment techniques compiled by the royal physician Jun in 1613. This book of medicine became famous during the Period and was disseminated to both and . In recognition of its historical value, it was listed on UNESCO's Memory of the World register in 2009. The life story of Heo Jun, the author, was made into a drama that gained a great following in not only in China and , but also in Iraq. The actor who played Heo Jun in the drama was invited as a national guest. The year of 2013 marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of this book and in honor of this special date, the World Traditional Medicine Expo is held here. The best attraction at this village is the Oriental Medicine Museum. So, shall we take a look around? Donguibogam 2. Meeting the Renowned Doctors of Joseon Village Through Statues Before you step into the Oriental Medicine Museum, you'll see the statues of Heo Jun and his teacher, Ryu Ui-tae. From his childhood, Heo Jun is said to have enjoyed travelling around and exploring mountains and streams, observing wild plants and researching which plants had beneficial medical properties. Ryu Ui-tae was also known as an excellent physician of the time. He was a pioneer who did not discriminate between the ruling class and lowest class and provided love and care to those who were ill while also working hard to promote medical science. Now then, why don't we head inside the museum and find out more about Heo Jun and his book. Donguibogam 3. Oriental Medicine and Heo Jun Village The first thing that will grab your attention at this museum is here, the Special Exhibition Hall. There are pharmaceutical scales, knives designed to chop medicinal herbs, and other Oriental medical equipment on display. Do you find any great differences compared to Western medical equipment from a similar era? Heo Jun's Donguibogam is also on display and due to its popularity in China and Japan, both Chinese and Japanese language versions are available at the museum. When he served as the king's exclusive physician, he was held responsible for the death of the king and was sent into exile. Fortunately while in exile, he was able to focus on research and finish the book, which he promised the king that he would complete. To this date, this book is unparalleled as the bible of Oriental medicine and is registered as the Memory of the World by UNESCO. Donguibogam 4. Oriental Medicine isn't Difficult to Understand or Village Unfamiliar A variety of objects relating to Oriental medicine are on display in the Traditional Medicine Exhibition Hall. There are life-size models of an Oriental medicine treatment process and they are rather well-made. The figures depicted include a person grinding medicinal herbs, a grandmother boiling medicine, a person preparing herbs in a storehouse, a woman chopping medicinal herbs with a knife, and even a person receiving acupuncture treatment on his shoulder. If you are finished looking at the models, let's gather in front of the touch screen. You can experience the use of folk medicine and Oriental medicine in everyday life by entering symptoms on the touch screen. You can then take a look at foods that are said to be well-suited or ill-suited to each other, according to Oriental medicine. Interestingly, foods we often imbibe together, like beer and peanuts or a hamburger and cola are said to be incompatible. If you stop by the Oriental Medicine Experience Hall, you can get a health check-up. You can measure your height, weight, body fat percentage, and blood pressure. Donguibogam 5. Subtle Herbal Scents and an Introduction to Village Various Medicinal Herbs If you go into the Medicinal Herbs Exhibition Hall, you will inhale the scent of subtle yet slightly bitter herbs. On one side of the wall, medicinal samples are on display. One of the many achievements of Heo Jun is that he replaced expensive Chinese medicinal herbs with wild plants found in . One more thing in this hall that you will notice is the way Sasang typology is used to classify one's physical constitution. This typology was organized and categorized by Yi Je-ma during the 19th century, and the information helps to dictate which medicinal herbs are well-suited to an individual and which are harmful. According to this traditional Korean medical typology, people can be categorized into four different physical constitutions based on their biological, psychological and social traits. For example, of these four types, ginseng, deer antler, and coffee are harmful for one type while quince, grape, and apple are beneficial. The philosophy implies that just because a substance or food is beneficial for one person or type doesn't mean that it is good for everyone. If you came here with children, you might be interested in dressing up in Heo Jun's official hat and taking pictures at the photo wall. Donguibogam 6. Park Themed on the Human Body Village Facilities here at the Oriental Medicine Theme Park take on the shapes of human body parts and medical equipment. You can see a sculpture in the form of an acupuncture needle and a trail inlaid with an acupressure pathway good for blood circulation. You can also take a walk along the wooden deck through the dense pine trees. You will notice that the trail goes from the esophagus, to the heart and various other organs before it reaches the bladder. The charming sculptures are unusual enough to captivate visitors who come here. The nighttime view of various colored sculptures spotlighted at the park is also something you don't want to miss. From a walk that explores the human body to a nighttime view that resembles space, I hope that this was a great introduction to Oriental medicine, a discipline that places great importance on the harmony between the universe and the body. Donguibogam 7. Feel Positive Energy Flowing into Your Body Village If you come here, you will see many people leaning on a rock! Although you can't see it, the area is famous for the energy given off by the mountain. Scholars who study the energy or life force exuded by nature think that the energy from Baekdusan Mountain in North Korea flows southwards along the various mountain ranges and finally accumulates here at the Cheonwangbong Peak of Jirisan Mountain. One thing that will definitely catch your attention is, of course, the Turtle Rock. Turtles symbolize longevity in Asia. The rock was moved here due to the belief that you could receive some of the energy from the mountains by laying your back against the stone. You can easily receive the energy too. Stand below the Turtle Rock and lean with your head against it and close your eyes. They say that the experience will clear your head and that you'll be able to feel energy flowing into your body. Can you feel it?

Namsa Yedamchon Village Namsa Yedamchon 1. About the Course Village

There are many beautiful villages in Korea, but Namsa Yedamchon Village is one of the most wonderful you can find. It is a charming place featuring many alleyways set between well preserved earth and stone walls, with Korean plum blossoms that bloom in the spring. The walls in this village are different from those of other regions. While most old walls in Korea reach only to head or shoulder height, the walls in this village are much higher. To protect the private lives of the ruling class, these walls were built higher in order that the inner courtyards could not be seen even by those on horseback. The walls surrounding properties that once belonged to the ruling class were mostly tiled earthen walls, unlike the common stone walls of a common house. The tiles capping the walls protected them from collapse when it rained. So, shall we have a look inside the village? Namsa Yedamchon 2. House of Yi Family, Where the Husband Village and Wife Trees Embrace The first place that we will visit in this village is the House of Yi Family. As you know, Yi is a common surname in Korea, similar to the names Smith or Johnson in the United States. This area is home to a branch of the Yi Clan that has its root here in this village. The house was built in the 1700s. However, within the complex there are also central buildings that were constructed in the 18th and 20th centuries. So, if you have a good look around, you can understand how Korean traditional housing styles changed over time. At the entrance to the house, you'll see two trees that form an X shape. Though it makes it a bit awkward to pass through the road, this is reflective of the original design. As the two trees appear to be embracing, they are together called the Husband and Wife Trees. It's said that if a couple walks under these trees while holding hands, their love will last for a long time. If you came here with your partner, make sure you hold hands tight as you walk under the branches. Namsa Yedamchon 3. The Unfulfilled Love Between the Walls Village Now let's go to the House of Choe Family. As you may expect, Choe is also a relatively common surname in Korea. It's said that the alley leading to this house is one of the most beautiful in the village. The house still contains traditional household items. Seeing these household items can help you imagine scenes from traditional Korean village life. The bolts on the front gate are shaped like a turtle. As the turtle lives for a very long time, the turtle's shape was used to symbolize the desire for a long and healthy life. There is also a very famous tree at this house. Roughly 230 years old, this Korean plum tree is said to still produce many sweet-smelling plums in the summertime. The walls here are also famous, thanks to an old story of unfulfilled love. Long ago, the son of the Choe family fell in love with the daughter of the neighboring Jeong family. They would use a break in the wall to meet secretly, but the parents of the Jeong family married their daughter off to another family and sent her to a place far away. The son of the Choe family, heartbroken and alone, spent his days crying under the walls and in the end abandoned his home to live on Jirisan Mountain. Namsa Yedamchon 4. A Modern Korean House Made from Village Strong Zelkova Wood

This modern Korean house built in the 1920s is an annex to a shrine. Built to honor the spirit of a scholar named Jeong Mong-ju who risked his own life out of loyalty to the king, the shrine was erected by the scholar's descendants. The timber used to build the foundations of this house is high quality zelkova wood. The entrance is also larger than that of other Korean houses. The ceiling is relatively high compared to earlier Korean houses, and there are many storage spaces such as lofts and cupboards. Glass is also used in the building. At the time glass was a new construction material, and its use distinguishes modern Korean houses. Here we can also find a maple tree more than 220 years old. This is a special tree which has leaves that are red in the spring, turn green in the summer only to turn red once again in the fall. During the rice-growing months of July and August many local villagers ran out of rice and were forced to go without meals, but in those times the Jeong family who lived here would open their stores and share their rice with the local people. Namsa Yedamchon 5. The Korean Plum and Persimmon Trees of Village the House of Ha Family

This Korean plum tree of the House of Ha Family is one of the most famous trees in Korea. Estimated to be over 670 years old, it was planted by a scholar who lived here long ago. Sad to say, a few years ago the tree itself died after freezing in the winter cold, however thankfully the branches survived and wonderful plum flowers continue to blossom. There is also another famous tree here, the persimmon tree. An ancestor of the Ha family, who occupied a position similar to prime minister during the Joseon , planted this tree when he was only seven years old, so the tree is still protected today.

Namsa Yedamchon 6. Gwak Jong-seok, Who Feared for His Village Country Night and Day This historical site was built by the descendants of the man named Gwak Jong-seok as a memorial to him and his works. A Confucian scholar and activist for Korean independence during the Japanese Colonial Period, he laid the foundation for the Korean independence struggle. Always fearing for his country, he was imprisoned by the Japanese police for sending letters appealing for Korean independence. He passed away due to the after effects of prison hardships at the age of 74. While normally people erect a shrine to honor a deceased person, this place is known instead as a house of writing. This is because he was not merely a Confucian scholar but also an author who penned many books on a variety of subjects. This house was the first to be erected to honor his works as a scholar, and later more houses were erected to honor him around the country. Namsa Yedamchon 7. The Street of Old Walls and Waterwheels Village Do you see the well-planned alleyway leading up to the house of writing honoring Gwak Jong-seok? This road, which cuts through the center of the village, is known as Yedamgil. The name of this road literally means old walls. The road begins at the waterwheel in front of the village. This waterwheel was built to memorialize the selection of this village as a 'Countryside Tradition Theme Village'. Made up of shorter sections with individual names, such as the Road of Learning, Road of Self-Reliance, Road of Knowing Life and the Road of the Heart, this road reaches the center of the village. The road is altogether 3.5 kilometers in length, and at a gentle pace it is possible to walk its entirety in around one hour and 30 minutes. As this road was constructed to minimize any disturbance of the natural environment, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery as you walk along. Namsa Yedamchon 8. Isajae Shrine, where Yi Sun-sin Visited Village Isajae is a living space built to commemorate a famous general of Korean history. Passing through the main gate you have to walk through a private residence to get up to the shrine, but the people who live here pay no mind to passers-by so you can comfortably make your way past. The shrine is a structure with a simple but profound beauty. The garden, replete with ponds, crepe myrtles and bamboo thickets, has a profound sense of harmony. From the top of the hill, you can take in the entire view of the village at once. It is also said that the famous Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin stopped here to pay his respects to the spirit of his departed mother, when he was following the army to the battlefield at a time when he had no government post. This was learned from records in his diary, and today a memorial stone commemorating his visit has been erected at the entrance of the complex. This has been the village of many stories, Namsa Yedamchon Village. This guide is now complete; we wish you happiness for the rest of your travels.

Historic Site of Jo Sik 1. Jo Sik, the Great Scholar of the Joseon Historic Site of Jo Sik Dynasty

Welcome to the Historic Site of Jo Sik. Jo Sik was one of the leading Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty. He was respected by many for emphasizing principles and criticizing the corruption and contradictions of society and the politics of his day. As you pass through the gateway roofed with tiles, you will see the memorial hall surrounded by sculptures. Next to the white statue of Jo Sik, the letters he wrote to the king during his lifetime are displayed as inscriptions in miniscule Hangeul script. According to part of the contents, he expressed his opinion that the reigning king was not ruling properly. He also expressed his fears for the future of the country. Although the king was greatly angered by these letters of appeal, Jo Sik was always a model of correct speech and behavior and so the king was unable to simply punish him as he might have liked. As you would expect, there were some officials in the royal court who said He must be punished for his insolence to the king. However the majority of them actively defended him by saying If he is punished, in the future it will be difficult for vassals to speak truth to the king. Historic Site of Jo Sik 2. The Map of His Philosophy Now let's have a look inside the Nammyeong Memorial Hall. This museum, which was named after his pen-name, was built in 2001 in honor of the 500th anniversary of his birth. In the memorial hall the first thing you will encounter is none other than a map. As a map that expresses his philosophy, it describes how humans can attain a high level of virtue through control of the mind and body. It is hard to understand, much like a treasure map. To explain it simply, see if this accords with what you have been thinking. The inside of the fortress represents the inner mind of a person, and emphasizes that we must let nothing upset this and thus remain pure in spirit. The outside of the fortress represents the temptations that upset our inner being, and the flags express the need to defend against them. Further, the three doors on the fortress represent the human eyes, ears and mouth, and it is from the external temptations that enter through these three doors that we must defend the inner sanctum of our mind. To take his teachings a step further, he also emphasized the importance of action by saying It is no use to just have an upright mind and not act upon it. One has to move and act accordingly. Historic Site of Jo Sik 3. The Meaning of a Bell and Knife There are two artifacts that illustrate his value particularly well. These are a bell and a knife. They say that he always carried these two items with him wherever he went. The bell indicated his vow to always keep an awakened mind. Whenever he moved the bell would ring, reminding him to think about where he was and make an effort to calm his spirit. The second item is a knife. On the inside and outside of the handle of the knife there are inscriptions relating to the control of one's inner mind and putting this into practice in one's life. By inscribing his personal philosophy onto the knife, he showed his willingness to put his own life on the line to practice his beliefs.

Historic Site of Jo Sik 4. Yeojaesil Shrine and the Tomb of Jo Sik If you go up to the left on the right-hand side of the memorial hall you will come to a shrine for him. This is where his descendants placed the ancestral tablets of him and his wife, and performed ancestral rites. It is said that on the day that he died at the age of 72, a great tree on Jirisan Mountain dried up and died, heavy snow fell and the hills crumbled. This story expresses how great the people's grief was at losing such an important figure. If you go up past the shrine and make your way slowly up the path through the dense pine grove for about ten minutes, you will find his grave. The grave is so small and the surrounding area so humble that you may think that you have come to the wrong place. But if you think of the way that he avoided empty formalities and vanity during his life, you can see that this grave is consistent with the philosophy by which he lived. 5. The Place where He Pursued His Studies Historic Site of Jo Sik until His Death This is where he spent his last years. Having achieved a high level of scholarly understanding and having no interest in becoming a government minister, he worked here until his death to complete his studies. But while he strived to concentrate on his studies, a steady flow of those who sought to become his disciples continued to arrive. Many of the great figures in Korean history followed his teachings. In the front garden, you'll find a Korean plum tree. This was planted when he built this place. This tree is now around 440 years old. The tree still blooms brightly, so we recommend that you visit in the springtime to see the beautiful plum blossoms.

Historic Site of Jo Sik 6. The Place that Honors Him This Confucian academy was built in 1576 after the death of Jo Sik by his disciples to honor his studies and virtuous conduct. The overall structure of the academy is uniquely divided. The front area is a 'space for study' and the back area is a 'space for rituals'. In front is the main hall where his disciples would gather to study and debate his works. Next to the main hall, there are two buildings which were a kind of dormitory for disciples. If you go through the door at the back of the main hall, you will find a place called Sungdeoksa where the ancestral tablets of Jo Sik can be found. Even today, disciples gather to perform ancestral rites in the third and ninth months of the lunar calendar. Also, on the second Saturday of October, a festival is held to celebrate his birth. Historic Site of Jo Sik 7. The Pavilion that Cleanses the Mind Across from the Confucian academy, there is a pavilion that overlooks Deokcheongang River. The name of the pavilion literally means a pavilion that cleanses the mind. Jo Sik had a habit of using a bell to bring his mind to the present and under control, and they say that his disciples followed him and came here to calm their minds. These have been the stories of Jo Sik, who worked hard to consistently live with a righteous mind. They say that his incorruptible character has become a model for future generations as well. We hope that if you too have worries you wish to carve away from your mind, spend some time here before you leave to calm your spirit.