Ojukheon House in Gangneung

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Ojukheon House is the birthplace of the historical figures Shin Saimdang and Yi I (Yulgok). It was constructed during the reign of King Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty. Shin Saimdang was a distinguished female artist, while her son, Yi I, was a prominent scholar, considered one of the two great Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty alongside Toegye Yi Hwang. The house is named Ojukheon due to the black bamboo (Ojuk) growing in its backyard. It is recognized as one of the oldest wooden residential buildings in Korea, offering significant architectural value. The structure features a single-story paljak roof style with three rooms in the front and two on the side. The left two rooms are a daecheong (wood-floored hall), and the right room is an ondol (heated floor) room. Since Shin Saimdang was featured on Korean currency, Ojukheon has been known as the birthplace of the world's first mother-son duo to appear on banknotes. Recognized for its architectural significance, it has been designated as a treasure. Mongryongshil, the room where Yi I was born, is part of the complex. Within the premises, Munseongsa houses the portrait of Yi I, and the Yulgok Memorial Hall displays his works and the inkstone he used during his youth. The Yulgok Memorial Hall also features Shin Saimdang’s artworks and family relics. Every year on October 25th and 26th, Gangneung City holds the Yulgok Cultural Festival to commemorate Yi I.