Dongnakdang House, Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.413

Category

Books & Records

Era

조선시대 중기

Designated year

1964

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 안강읍 옥산서원길 300-3 (옥산리)

Coordinates

36.016671, 129.160116

Dongnakdang House is actually a sarangchae (men’s quarters) situated to the rear of Okseonseowon Confucian Academy, where a memorial ceremony is held for Yi Eon-jeok (1491-1553), a scholar of neo-Confucian doctrine of the mid-Joseon period. It is regarded as a historic site as Yi stayed there after leaving public office. Built in 1516 (the 11th year of the reign of King Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty), the house measures four kan (a unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns) at the front and two kan at the sides, and sits on a low base. The roof has a hip-and-gable roof and resembles a 八 when viewed from the front. On the right there is a wide, open wooden floor (measuring 3 kan) while on the left there is a hot-floored room (1 kan). Certain marks suggest that originally the partition on the far right was used as a room and that the daecheong, i.e. the main hall, measuring two kan, was in the middle. The main pillars of the daecheong are rounded, and its ceiling (built as a lotus lantern ceiling)’s wooden materials are exposed. Its structure is unusual in that a window made with thin wooden ribs was built into the wall next to Dongnakdang House, and commands an attractive view of the stream flowing past the front of the house. In addition, a pavilion near the stream and to the rear of Dongnakdang House attests to our ancestor's wisdom in seeking harmony with nature.

Location