Detached Quarters of Chogan Head House of the Yecheon Gwon Clan

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.457

Category

Architecture

Era

조선시대 중기

Designated year

1967

Location

예천군, 경상북도— 경상북도 예천군 죽림길 43 (용문면)

Coordinates

36.692321, 128.397623

The detached quarters of the house of Yecheon Gwon’s Clan are said to have been built by Gwon O-sang, a grandfather of Gwon Mun-hae (pen-name: Chogan, 1534-1591) who was the civil minister of mid-Joseon. The building has four kan (a unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns) at the front and two kan at the side and half-hipped roof resembling the shape of 八 when viewed from the side. From the front, three kan on the right are used as the main floor, whereas one kan on the left is a room with a floor heating system divided into two spaces. The front of the main floor is open without a door, and its side and back side have two pairs of wooden door each. In addition, the handrail is installed around the house so that the building looks like a pavilion. The building appears to have a simple structure on the whole; note, however, that the ceiling part inside the building was constructed with splendid decorations using various kinds of materials. The library, placed at the rear to the detached quarters, preserves 677 pieces of the printing block Daedong unbu gunok (Encyclopedia of Korea, Arranged by Rhymes of the Entries) written by Gwon Mun-hae, a jade flute handed down through 14 generations, and the complete set of 120 volumes of Jachi tonggam gangmok (Itemized Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government). This building, constructed during the Joseon Dynasty, exhibits sophisticated skill in decorating the interior of the building, which is rarely found in regular private houses.

Location