Dr. Wangin's Memorial Shrine

 memorial, shrine

Dr. Wangin, a scholar of the Paekche Kingdom, introduced the elements of Chinese culture to Japan in the 4th century.

Here is the birthplace of Wangin, a famous scholar of Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.E — 660 C.E.).

An authority on Confucian teachings, he went to Japan at the invitation of Ojing, the Japanese emperor, to tutor his crown prince and teach high officials the Chinese classics and history, at the begnning of 5 A.D. He took 10 volumes of the Analects of Confucius and a volume of the Thousand Character Text, a primer of Chinese characters, with him. What he brought and taught served as a vital role in enlightening the ancient Japanese culture.

His descendants who were deeply trusted by the emperor served in the Japanese government and contributed greatly to the development of ancient Japanese culture.

His name appears as "Wha—I-Gil—-Sa" in "Kojiki" and as "Wang-in" in "Nihon shoki" which are ancient Japanese historical book.

Wangin also taught Japanese arts and crafts and advised their ruler on political matters. Through his effort of transmitting Baekje culture to ancient Japan, he and his descendants contributed greatly to the development of Japan's Asuka culture.

On this site we have the grounds of Wangin's birthplace, Seonggidong, and a monument near it, and the Seongcheon Holy Spring from which he drew drinking water. On the slope of Mount Wolchulsan is Chaekgul, a cave where Wangin is said to have studied. Munsanjae and Yangsajae below Chaekgul were Confucian schools that also functioned as shrines where Memorial rites were held annually on the third day of the third lunar month.

The Stone statue of Wangin in front of the Chaekgul was first built by some local scholars in memory of him and his noble efforts.

To the southwest of Seonggidong is Doljeong—Gogae, which means "Hill of Looking Back", so named because on the day he departed for Japan Wangin, loath to bid farewell to his friends, he and followers kept looking back toward his home until Mtmsanjae and Seonggidong were out of sight. He departed from Sangdaepo near here which was an international trading port.

The current memorial was restored and expanded in 1985~87 for three years through the effort of both Government and private citizens.