Spring is coming ...

But these photos are actually from last spring. Hey, after all, you wouldn't want me to actually get caught up and post recent photos here, would you? Besides I have been lazy.





These photos are from a ride out to Byeongsan Seowon (병산서원). If you remember from an earlier post, I went to a different, more famous "seowon". A "seowon" was a private study place or small learning institute. Rather than try to explain this particular "seowon" outright, let me give you what the information signboard says and then I will try to add a little.

Historic Site No. 260
Byeongsan-ri, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong-si

This seowon, or Confucian academy and shrine, was originally Pungak seodang established in the late Goryeo period in Pungsanhyeon. It was moved by Ryu Seong-ryong to the present site in 1572, the 5th year of King Seonjo's reign. When Ryu Seong-ryong died in 1607, Jeong Gyeong-se (1563-1633) and others constructed Jondeoksa shrine in which they enclosed the memorial tablet of Ryu Seong-ryong in 1614, and changed its name to Byeongsan seowon.
This seowon was one of the 47 lucky seowons which survived destruction during the rule of Daewongun, the father of King Gojong. Every March and September in lunar caleudar, a memorial service for Ryu Seong-ryong is offered.

So this Ryu guy taught about Confucianism at this little school. They decided to move it to this nice location. Ryu dies and his followers erect a shrine to their teacher here in the compound. The destruction they referred to above happened when (D)Taewongun decided to return power back to the royal house by taking it away from the "yangban". To do this he closed or destroyed many of the Confucian seowons where these powerful literati had been educated. Unfortunately all that really happened was that he destroyed a lot of buildings and made a lot of people in power angry.




They actually picked a beautiful location when they moved this seowon. It is right on the bank of the Naktong river, just upriver and around the bend a bit from Hahoe village (see other post here).



And there are some nice cliffs on the other bank of the river. You can see that, though it is spring, the deciduous trees have yet to turn green.



And the area around the compound is landscaped in a very pretty park like setting. Though I expect most of that landscaping is from a much more recent period.



The buildings and such are nice, but what is probably most impressive is the view from the main building looking out over the pavilion and on toward the river. Be sure to click the image below to see the full panorama.



Here is the cherry blossom tree in front of one of the halls. I think I was just a bit early. Probably the next week it would have been in full bloom.



Another view of the right side of the compound. Here you can see more of the building.



Just a small doorway out of the compound.



Another tree in blossom near the seowon.



Cherry blossom trees are something that Korea does fairly well, but I actually wish they had trees that you could eat the fruit from. The trees you see everywhere generally produce small, bitter fruit. I remember seeing a package of 10 fresh cherries in the supermarket here selling for about $5.00.


My Korean reading visitors can get more complete information about 병산서원 (Byeongsan Seowon) here.



Byeongsan Seowon is fairly close to Hahoe Village, but due to the dirt road, fewer people (thankfully) visit it. Since I was close, I stopped in Hahoe and took a few pictures. The rest of these images are from there. Enjoy! And as always, remember to click for a larger image and feel free to leave a comment.