[Korea Route] Restoration After 154 Years: Doposeowon, Shrine Enshrining Grand General Sin Sungkyum

Doposeowon Restoration Project Begins Next Year
Chuncheon City to Restore Historic Confucian Academy Honoring General Sin Sungkyum

Portrait of General Shin Sungkyum [Chuncheon City]

[Asia Economy, Reporter Ra Youngcheol] Chuncheon City recently announced, "We will launch the Doposeowon restoration project starting next year, with a project budget of 3 billion KRW."

Doposeowon was established in 1650 (the first year of King Hyojong's reign) by local Confucian scholars to honor the scholarly achievements and virtuous deeds of General Sin Sungkyum (?-927), a military official from the Later Three Kingdoms to early Goryeo period, and to enshrine his spirit tablet.

For about 170 years, Doposeowon enshrined Sin Sungkyum, Sin Heum, Kim Gyeongjik, and other Confucian scholars, and it has been recognized for its historical and cultural value as an educational institution in the Chuncheon area.

However, Doposeowon was demolished in the 8th year of King Gojong's reign due to the 1868 royal decree by Heungseon Daewongun abolishing seowon (Confucian academies), and it was never restored.

Chuncheon City has since conducted research projects to study and establish restoration plans for Joseon Dynasty educational institutions in Chuncheon, which ultimately led to the decision to restore Doposeowon.

The research identified that Munamseowon, Gubongseowon, and Doposeowon all exist as buried cultural heritage sites, based on surface surveys and literature studies. It was confirmed that precise surface surveys and trial excavations are necessary to determine their existence as buried cultural assets.

In particular, Doposeowon was selected for priority restoration because artifacts were recovered on the surface and stone materials, presumed to be construction stones, were found at the old site.

Artifacts Recovered Around Dofoseowon Site [Chuncheon City]

Seventy-eight percent of landowners in the area of 101 Sinmae-ri, Seomyeon, Chuncheon-where Doposeowon was located-have agreed to the trial excavation. The restoration project will officially begin next year, starting with trial excavations on the entire 9,157 square meter site.

The restoration will also be linked to the planned creation of a nearby historical garden, and will proceed according to annual plans, including detailed archaeological excavations and applications for cultural heritage designation.

Once restored, Doposeowon is expected to become a venue for experiencing historical and cultural heritage, together with nearby cultural assets such as the three-story stone pagoda in Seosang-ri and the tomb of Sin Sungkyum.

An official from Chuncheon City stated, "We plan to utilize the restored seowon as a space for local residents to experience history and traditional culture."

■ Grand General Sin Sungkyum

General Sin Sunggyeom's Tomb [Chuncheon City]

The tomb complex of General Sin Sungkyum is located in Bangdong-ri, Chuncheon City. The tomb consists of three mounds. According to one legend, after Sin Sungkyum died in battle, the forces of Gyeon Hwon of Later Baekje took his head as a trophy.

It is said that King Taejo of Goryeo had a gold effigy of Sin Sungkyum's head made and buried it with his body, so that no one would know the true location of his remains, thus preventing grave robbery.

Another legend claims that one of the mounds is the tomb of Sin Sungkyum's wife, but the truth of this is unknown. This account is recorded on his stele, which was erected in 1805, with the inscription written by Kim Josun and the calligraphy by Shin Wi.

Sin Sungkyum is enshrined at the Taejo Shrine, as well as at Yangdeoksa in Gokseong and Pyochungsa in Daegu.

The 'Chuncheon Eupji' (Chuncheon Township Gazetteer) records that Chuncheon is the 'place of Sin Sungkyum's life and burial,' suggesting that because he lived in Chuncheon, his tomb was established there and his spirit was enshrined at Doposeowon.

Sin Sungkyum is well known as a military official and grand general from the Later Three Kingdoms to the early Goryeo period. His original name was Neungsan, his posthumous title was Jangjeol, and he is the progenitor of the Pyeongsan Shin clan.

He served as a subordinate of Gung Ye alongside Wang Geon, but in 918, together with Bae Hyun-gyeong, Hong Yu, and Bok Ji-gyeom, he successfully led a dynastic revolution to establish Goryeo with Wang Geon at the center.

General Shin Sungkyum [Chuncheon City]

In 927 (the 10th year of King Taejo's reign), during the Battle of Gongsan against Gyeon Hwon, Sin Sungkyum exchanged armor with Wang Geon and fought in his stead, ultimately dying a heroic death in battle.

At that time, Gyeon Hwon's soldiers took Sin Sungkyum's head and buried it at Taeansa in Gokseong, while Wang Geon held a funeral for Sin Sungkyum by creating a golden effigy of his head.

According to the 'History of Goryeo,' the king mourned him and appointed his younger brother, Neunggil, and his son, Shin Bo, as Won-yun (a high government post).

Furthermore, a temple called Jimyosa was built on the site where he fell, so that prayers could be offered for his soul. This practice of building a temple at a tomb site to pray for the soul of the deceased is said to have originated from this event.

In 1977, the Pyeongsan Shin clan erected the 'Memorial Monument for the Landscaping of the Tomb Area of Grand Master Jangjeol of Goryeo.'

There is also the 'Record of the Reconstruction of the Shrine of Lord Jangjeol,' written by Shin Heum in 1603. The original form of Jangjeolsa is said to have been an ermitage (Bunam) where rituals were performed for Sin Sungkyum's spirit.

This is supported by the 'Chuwonsa Record,' written by An Hongjung in 1654 (the 5th year of King Hyojong's reign), which states:

"Guarding the tomb means preventing wildfires, and there is nothing better than building a temple and gathering monks for this purpose. Thus, since Lord Jangjeol Sin Sungkyum first established this custom, there has not been a single famous tomb in our country without a temple nearby."

Although Jangjeolsa was built in modern times and cannot be considered the original Bunam, it is believed that the ermitage of Sin Sungkyum from the Joseon era was later converted into a shrine.

Additionally, there are many examples from early Joseon of ermitages being built at the tombs of aristocrats, where monks managed the tomb and performed rituals for the soul of the deceased.

Other sites in Daegu include Pagunjae, where Wang Geon's army was defeated by Gyeon Hwon's forces; Banyawol, where Wang Geon saw a half-moon in the sky while fleeing; Eunjeoksa, where he hid in a temple; and Ansimsa, where he felt relieved-all of which still exist today.

■ Sin Sungkyum's Tomb Complex Awaiting Restoration

Dopo Seowon Site [Cultural Heritage Administration]

Although Doposeowon did not receive a royal plaque, it holds historical and regional significance as the second seowon established in Chuncheon.

According to research materials, there has been little topographical change around the seowon site, and the area has been managed by the descendants of Sin Sungkyum. Both site surveys and related documents confirm that this is indeed the location of the seowon.

The Doposeowon signboard measures 180 cm in width, 39 cm in height, and about 2 cm in thickness. At the end of the large characters reading 'Doposeowon,' a smaller inscription reads, "Written by Kim Ui-hyeop, sixth-generation descendant of Kim Ujeong, in early March, Byeong-o year, the tenth year of Sangji." The calligraphy was done by Kim Ui-hyeop, and the signboard was made in 1786 (the 10th year of King Jeongjo's reign).

The oldest structure in the Sin Sungkyum tomb complex is Sangchungjae, the shrine residence. Under the eaves is a plaque titled 'Record of the Reconstruction of the Tomb Residence.' Through this record and the new tombstone erected in 1965, the development of the tomb complex can be traced.

The process began with the burial of the body in 927, followed by a new tombstone erected by Shin Ik-su in 1618. The tomb residence was repaired in 1741, and the stele was erected in 1805.

Later, the inner shrine was built in 1940, and the outer shrine was maintained, but natural deterioration and partial destruction during the Korean War led to reconstruction and repairs in 1963, including restoration of the stele pavilion.

The Sin Sungkyum tomb complex (816-1 Bangdong-ri, Seomyeon) is believed to have undergone many changes as buildings were constructed, demolished, or stele were re-erected. The locations of the now-vanished Wondang and the shrine (Doposa) remain uncertain.

Detailed View of Stone Retaining Wall Facility at Dofoseowon Site [Chuncheon City]

The tomb complex is designated and managed as Gangwon Province Monument No. 21. The site includes the tomb, tombstone, shrine, stele pavilion, residence, and a memorial hall.

Entering through the Hong Salmun gate in the residence area at the entrance, one finds Heunginmun, Jinchangseong, Ihwadang, and Sangchungjae. The memorial hall houses rubbings of various steles related to Lord Jangjeol, the Doposeowon signboard, and old books and documents collected by the Shin clan.

Jangjeolsa, built in 1977, is a shrine located to the west of the entrance to the Sin Sungkyum tomb complex, enshrining a standard portrait of Sin Sungkyum painted by artist Kim Ki-chang.

The original portrait was enshrined at the Sunjeoldan in Jimyosa, Daegu, where Sin Sungkyum fell, then moved to Daebisa, and was reportedly lost in a fire in 1819.

Located west of the stele pavilion, Jangjeolsa features a gabled roof and three bays at the front. Plaques include the 'Record of the Reconstruction of the Tomb Residence,' written by Shin Ha-gyun and inscribed by Min Byeong-seok in 1940, and the 'Record of the Reconstruction of the Tomb Pavilion,' written by Shin Hyo-seon and inscribed by Shin Ha-gyun in 1963.

Doposa, the predecessor of Doposeowon, was originally located in Bibangdong (now Bangdong-ri, Seomyeon), but its exact location is currently unknown.

If a buried cultural heritage survey is conducted focusing on the area where artifacts were recovered within the Sin Sungkyum tomb complex, it may be possible to determine the location of Doposa.