570 Years of Scholarly Heritage Revived at Yeongcheon Eupseong Museum... Opening of the Changnyeong Jo Clan Yeongcheon Munjung Relics Exhibition

First Public Exhibition of Family Records Tracing the Legacy of Settlement, Ritual Studies, and Neo-Confucianism

Ancient clan records represent the deepest layer for reading the spiritual map of a region.

The current exhibition at the Yeongcheon Eupseong Museum encompasses a broader meaning than the word "artifact" alone. The traces of scholarship, morality, and life preserved by the clan quietly reveal the cultural foundation upon which present-day Yeongcheon stands.

Exhibition of Artifacts from the 570-Year-Old Scholarly Lineage of the Changnyeong Jo Clan in Yeongcheon Eupseong Opens. Photo by Reader Provided

The "Changnyeong Jo Clan Yeongcheon Munjung Relics Exhibition" was held at the Yeongcheon Eupseong Museum in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province. Choi Kimoon, Mayor of Yeongcheon, Cheon Jin-gi, Director of the Yeongcheon History Museum, and researcher Cho Soon, who studies the works of Jisan Jo Hoik, attended and emphasized the historical significance of the clan and the meaning of the exhibition.

Choi Kimoon, Mayor of Yeongcheon, stated, "The people and history of Yeongcheon are the foundation of our regional identity, and the records that the clan has preserved for centuries are invaluable cultural assets of the region. I hope this exhibition offers citizens an opportunity to reflect on the spiritual roots of Yeongcheon."

Cheon Jin-gi, Director of the Yeongcheon History Museum, remarked, "The Changnyeong Jo Clan of Yeongcheon is a prestigious family that formed a major pillar in the intellectual history of the Joseon Dynasty and holds core significance in the study of ritual studies and Neo-Confucianism. In particular, materials related to Jisan Jo Hoik serve as important historical sources that demonstrate the scholarly depth of the era."

The exhibition centers on old documents, personal artifacts, and ritual vessels passed down from Heecheon-gong Jo Shinchung, Jiphyeonjeon Vice Minister Jo Sangchi, and the main lineage of Jisan (芝山) Jo Hoik, a master of ritual studies. Materials that vividly illustrate the clan's 570-year scholarly tradition, daily life, rituals, and academic pursuits drew significant interest from visitors.

Park Jongwoo, Chairman of the Jisan Jo Hoik Memorial Society, and researcher Cho Soon commented, "Jo Hoik was a major pillar of Joseon ritual studies, establishing propriety as a fundamental human nature and moral principle. This exhibition is a valuable occasion that proves his scholarly lineage and spirit continue to this day."

The city of Yeongcheon plans to use this exhibition as an opportunity to further expand the rediscovery of local cultural assets and the foundation for academic research.

Attendees at the opening ceremony of the Changnyeong Jo Clan Yeongcheon Munjung Relics Exhibition are cutting the ribbon. Courtesy of Reader