Damyang Gose Tae Bonsai Tools Designated as Jeonnam Province Tangible Cultural Property

[Damyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Choi Hyung-sik) announced on the 21st that the Damyang Gose Tae Bunjaegi, owned by the Jangheung Go clan Yangjinjae branch in Changpyeong-myeon, has been designated as 'Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 342.'

Bunjaegi (分財記) is a document written about the inheritance and distribution of property in traditional times, mainly prepared by the property owner and finalized with the signatures of relatives as witnesses.

The 'Damyang Go Setae Bunjaegi' consists of one sheet of Bunjaegi and one seal, and it appears to record the distribution of predetermined inheritance shares by the property owner before December 1711.

The designated Bunjaegi is an important material for studying the economic aspects such as land and slave ownership of local gentry in the early 18th century and the changes in property distribution methods.

In particular, it is characterized by listing the inherited property in birth order without distinguishing between daughters and sons, along with the eldest son's share.

A representative of the Jangheung Go clan Yangjinjae branch said, "While collecting and organizing family materials for the restoration work of the Jangheung Go clan Yangjinjae branch's main house, we discovered numerous relics including the Bunjaegi," adding, "The designation of the Bunjaegi as a cultural asset will not only support the restoration work of the main house but also serve as material to inform about the 18th century of Damyang."

Meanwhile, the Jangheung Go clan Yangjinjae branch is widely known as descendants of 'Chungnyeolgong Jebong Go Gyeongmyeong,' a Joseon Dynasty scholar and a militia leader who raised a righteous army at Chuseonggwan in Damyang during the Imjin War and actively led the militia.