Taejo Geonwonreung Sindobi, Guri

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1803

Category

Books & Records

Era

1409년(태종 9년)

Designated year

2013

Location

구리시, 경기도— 경기도 구리시 동구릉로 197 (인창동)

Coordinates

37.624630, 127.131335

Stele for King Taejo at Geonwolleung Royal Tomb in Guri was erected in 1409 to honor the life and achievement of Yi Seong-gye (1335-1408), a Goryeo general who later founded the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and became its first ruler, King Taejo. The monument has preserved its original condition complete with the dragon head and the tortoise pedestal, providing a fine example for the memorial steles of the same type set up during the Joseon Period. The front inscription of the stele was composed by Gwon Geun (1352-1409), a highly admired Neo-Confucian scholar and statesman of the late Goryeo and early Joseon Periods; the inscription on the monument’s rear face was done by another renowned scholar-statesman of his time, Byeon Gye-ryang (1369-1430). The title of the inscription was calligraphed by Jeong Gu (1350-1418), and the main text, by Seong Seok-rin (1338-1423) who is generally regarded as one of the greatest calligraphers of the early Joseon Period. The stele has lost its original tortoise pedestal but is widely regarded as a fine example for this type of stone steles that undergo a transition from the style of the Goryeo Period to that of the Joseon Period under the influence of the tradition newly established by Ming China. The monument is also highly regarded as a rich source of knowledge with respect to the Korean history of calligraphy and some aspects of Korean society and culture around the period it was erected.

Location