E2024-G007
The Garden Culture of Joseon Literati in Full Bloom in Jeolla
Narrative
In the Jeolla region, private gardens created during the Joseon period (1392-1910) served not only as scenic retreats but also as spaces where literati pursued scholarship, poetry, and friendship in harmony with nature.
Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion in Gwangju was built by Kim Yun-je (1501-1572) and became a gathering place for notable scholars. His nephew and student, Kim Seong-won (1525-1597), built Sigyeongjeong Pavilion for his father-in-law Im Eok-ryeong (1496–1568). There, he formed close associations with Go Gyeong-myeong (1533-1592) and Jeong Cheol (1536-1593), and the four men were later called the Four Immortals of Sigyeongjeong Pavilion. Nearby, Soswaewon Garden, created by Yang San-bo (1503–1557), exemplifies the elegant blend of natural and human design. Its serene setting attracted scholars seeking a place for contemplation. A detailed illustration titled Soswaewon do (Painting of Soswaewon Garden) offers a preserved view of the garden’s original layout. Not far from there, Myeongokheon Garden, built by O I-jeong (1619–1655), features rectangular ponds and carefully arranged plantings, including pine trees and crape myrtles, reflecting the Joseon literati’s aesthetics and values.
These gardens formed an interconnected cultural landscape, where the literati’s view of nature, reflection, and artistic exchange continues to resonate today.
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