[Jeonju Sago] - Joseon Wangjo Sillok (조선 왕조 실록)

Jeonju Sago wooden building was specially designed and constructed with raised floor to avoid wet when raining and good ventilation. It's now housing copy of Joseon Wangjo Sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty). Before that, these Annals were stored in Seunguisa Temple located in Jeonju castle, then moved to the Jinnammu Pavilion in the rear garden of the temple's guest house. 

Jeonju Sago (전주 사고).

This Jeonju Sago building which holds the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty appears in episode 10 of  “Love in the Moonlight.”, when Ra-on hurts her foot. The Crown Prince becomes jealous when seeing the other eunuchs assisting Ra-on here. He punished Ra-on with a kiss on her cheek as she didn't obey his order. 

Wangjo Sillok Joseon (Chosun Dynasty)

 UNESCO's Memory of the World Registry 

Busy Sagwan (사관) inside Chunchugwan (춘추관).

The guide told us a story... King Sejong ever asked the historian to let him read his Father's Sillok. As at that time, King was not allowed to read or review them, they told King Sejong that if he did so, Sagwan will record it in his Sillok. At the end, King Sejong gave up after listened to that statement. 

Haha... It's kinda funny! I think sagwan really did good job to keep records of the actual details! And I'm amazed by the durability and recycling process of hanji paper...

Procedure on preservation of Sillok and discarding method of Sacho.

Evacuation and Repositories of Sillok.

The original Sillok are kept in the Gyujanggak Archives in Seoul National University, and they're available online for reading. These Sillok were written in classical Chinese even after King Sejong invented Hangul. 

Therefore, I've to wait until they translated them to English or maybe watch more Saeguk dramas, which well-written story lines were based on cultural & historical references from Annals. Though, sometimes they added some fictional characters and situations in "Princess' Man" that made it more dramatic, romantic and spectacular to watch. 

I'm currently watching Gunman in Joseon plotting in Emperor Gojong's reign. However, the Annals of Last Two Emperors (King Gojong and King Sunjong) not included in Joseon Wangjo Sillok because they're written during the Japanese occupation in Korea, which the compilation might have been influenced by Japanese as well as the falsification of historical events.

Related Posts:

[Jeonju] - Evening at Omokdae Pavilion(오목대)

[Jeonju] - Hanbyeokdang Pavilion (한벽당)

[Jeonju] - Cheongyeonru Pavilion (청연루)

[Jeonju] - Gyeonggijeon Main Hall (경기전 정전)

 uzz Korea, Buzz-Korea, Korea

[Jeonju] - Gyeonggijeon Main Hall (경기전 정전)

Though didn't manage to submit full story of Gyeonggijeon in webtoon for 'Korea, My Love' event.  I'll continue to compile the photos in cartoon version for this posting even it took longer time for me to edit them... Hope you like and enjoy it~^^

Do you know that every last Wednesday of the month is designated as It's Cultural day in Korea? People can have free or discounted admissions to palaces, museums, national theaters, and participated private cultural institutions or galleries. 

Coincidentally, we visited this Historical Site no. 339, Gyeonggijeon Shrine on Cultural Day. Besides free admission, we also enjoyed awesome free English guided tour which I want to share here...

Do take note that you need to gather in front of Hongsalmun at 11:00 am to join that free English tour. 

Gyeonggijeon means palace built on auspicious ground. 

It's built in 1410 (10th year of Taejong) to enshrine the royal portrait of 

his father King Taejo (the founder of Joseon Dynasty). 

The guide explained to us why there is  red gate with no door standing there. We followed here as she's walking through this gate. Then, she congratulated and praised us that we all manage to pass through this gate! ㅎㅎ

Then, we stopped again under this tree and listen to interesting things about this 'naked tree' ...

Baerong Tree: "Please stop tickling me~!"

'Road of God (신도)'

According to oriental concept... the sun rise in the East,  and set in 

the West, you should go in from the right and come out from left side. 

We're blocked by this small red fence, and the guide asked us to turn right to go inside after explaining the reason behind it. We didn't guess correctly when she asked to guess what were the two ornaments on the middle of the roof. Do you want to make a guess? No... no, not coffee beans! They're tortoises~! 

This main hall is where the portrait of King Taejo enshrined. This place has hidden cultural code the power of chief gatekeeper might have been great. The carpenter put these two tortoises on the roof for its eternity. It's believed that they prevented this wooden building safe from burnt down during Japanese invasion.

Another hidden code is at the main entrance of Gyeonggijeon on the roadside. On the 'Hamabi' tortoise monument, it's written '至此皆下馬雜人毋得入' meaning: 'Anyone who arrives here should dismount from their horse disregard of their classes and social position, and outsiders are forbidden from entering'.

Photo: Source

In front of King Taejo's portrait, we're asked to count the claws on the king's robe (곤룡포 = Gollyongpo). The guide told us that you can know the position from their robes. Five-clawed dragon (오조룡보 ohjoeryongbo) emblem is for the King, the Crown Prince has four-clawed dragon (사조룡보 sajoeryongbo), while three-clawed dragon (삼조룡보 samjoeryongbo) for the eldest son of the Crown Prince. 

Walking from main hall to Jeonju Sago, we passed this beautiful bamboo garden and Maehwa tree...

Gyeonggjeon featured in movie 'Masquerade', 'My Way', and drama 'Painter of the Wind'.

"Masquerade" filming location.

This movie is an interpretation of the missing 15 days in the Annals of Joseon Dynasty during Gwanghae's reign—designated by his 1616 journal entry, "One must not record that which he wishes to hide."

It's also major filming site of “Love in the Moonlight,” This lush bamboo grove inside the grounds of the shrine appeared in the first episode of the drama, when Ra-on entered the palace as a eunuch, meets the Crown Prince during her attempt to run away.

'Precious' Maehwa (매화나무) and

Four Gentlemen Plants (사군자)...

Related Posts:

[Jeonju Sago] - Joseon Wangjo Sillok (조선 왕조 실록)

[Gyeonggijeon] - Royal Portrait Museum (어진박물관) 

[Jeonju] - Evening at Omokdae Pavilion(오목대)

[Jeonju] - Hanbyeokdang Pavilion (한벽당)

"buzz KOREA", "buzz-Korea", "buzz Korea", "Korea" 

Gyeongju - Museum without Walls (II)

In Jeju we took taxi tour...  here in Gyeongju, we hop in and off 3-4 busses in a day. We just took buses so we can just sit and rest our tired leg, but at the same time we can view Gyeongju city. Initially, I thought to join city tour, so I didn't plan where to visit in Gyeongju...

Good that when we purchaced Korea Pass & KR Pass, they gave an useful booklet which has a lot of information such as places to visit, map, city tour, and discount coupons (hotels, restaurants, performances,...). 

On top of that, being able to connect is a plus point... we rented Pocket Wifi from S Roaming that we can access to internet by the maximum 3 devices simultaneously. We can search online to get more information too ^^

Korea Pass & KR Pass guidebook with Gyeongju Bus guide

For City tour, please click here for more information

Here are some photos of Gyeongju

but some of the photos quite blur as taken when the bus was moving~~~

Gyeongju City Tour Office, Coffee & Bun Shop, rice field, traditional market, paddy field,

Tumuli Tomb, Hanok House, Hwangnam-ppang bread shops & Gyeongju Station

Charming traditional Hanok-style rooftop everywhere ^^

Tourist Information Centre, Bus Stops, Gas Station, Houses, Ticket counter, Restaurants,... 

   

So, after gathered information, we decided to go to Shilla Millennium Park (신라밀레니엄파크). We alighted somewhere near Gyeongju Tower. Not sure whether we alighted at the correct bus stop... Anyway, we went a convenience store to buy something to drink and the main purpose is actually we need small notes to take a bus later :P 

 Shilla Millennium Park, which reproduces Shilla architecture and a village of aristocrats.

Famous Korean show Queen Seondeok was filmed here too.

Hey... wait!!! where are the rest of the photos inside Shilla Millenium Park?

I didn't lost my way, you can see the photo was taken outside the park... but I somehow changed my mind. My body was raising white flag (surrender) as I was completely exhausted! 

Although I enjoy Korea much, but I rarely do exercise... You know, the only exercise I like is swimming. So, for these 6 days in Korea, I walked the most in my life... and 3 more days to go! Therefore, need to recharge my energy first... :P

Tadaaa! Let's just relax and soak in Hot spring sauna in Hotel Gyeongju Kyoyuk Munhwa Hoekwan.  Yes, thanks to Korea Pass booklet, I accidentally saw that this hotel have Sauna facilities when searching for attractions near Bomun Lake... Furthermore, you can enjoyed 30% off for Sauna if you're using Korea Pass!

Uh Oh!!! After payment... they told us that 3rd floor is for Male and Female on 2nd floor. They just provide 2 towels and there's no clothes provided, so I think there's no unisex (jjimjilbang) area.

Male's Lockers area

You need undress everything and store all your belongings in the locker... yap~ no strings attached on your body! 1, 2, 3,... faster walk to shower area! Well, though I think people won't be interested to look at me, but still no confidence to walk nakedly in front of people and bath together! Aigoo... Aigoo~!!!

Though, some people looked at me, they can sensed that I'm not a local? Whatever, after showered, I can finally jump and hide inside the tub... There are 4 tubs with different hot and cold temperatures. I like the one with Jacuzzi and took a quite nap at that pool... after tried all the pools and sauna rooms.

Re-energise and fresher after relaxing my body... my mind not that relax though~

Spa centres in Singapore, mostly have hydropool or Jacuzzi in the private or couple room,

or have curtains separator between the tubs. For shared tub, you need to

wrapped yourself in a bath gown or towels provided there...

Afraid that my hubby not enjoying the sauna, I just came out half and hour earlier. Expecting that he's outside waiting for me. But, I was wrong! Wow... He really knew how to enjoy his one and half hour of hot spring and came out on time.

While waiting for my hubby,  I was wandering around the lobby and outside the hotel alone... Saw few people brought their own basket of toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, body or face cleanser and 'ddae’ a scrubber which you use to take off the dead layers of skin on your body). Next time I should bring my own toiletries too :P

Small Sikdang near Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal

Kimchi jjigae and Galbi Tang with banchan spread covered almost the whole table.

After dinner, we walked around Bus Terminal to find famous Hwangnamppang (황남빵). It's Gyeongju specialty bread  filled with a sweet red bean paste, which has preserved the same traditions and flavors for 70 years, spanning three generations.

  You can find this big Hwangnamppang store/factory near bus terminal

 Chalborippang (찰보리빵) another popular specialty bread of Gyeongju.

It is round and flat, made with locally produced glutinous barley, which gives it chewy texture.

The bread makers selling Hwangnamppang, Gyeonjuppang, and Chalborippang are located around the downtown area of Gyeongju, bus terminal and Singyeongju KTX station.

Well, it's quite late... so we took a taxi to our final destination for the day..

Evening stroll in this stunning Anapji Pond (안압지)

Anapji is an artificial pond. Imhae jeonji was a detached palaces of the Silla royal family’s main palace. It was built for the crown prince, constructed by order of King Munmu in 674 CE.

  

The pond is situated at the northeast edge of the Banwolseong palace site.

Pond had been surrounded by stone walls, and that 5 buildings had been

standing on the pond's west to south.

Beautifully lighted up pavilions, huge pond and surrounding park.

 

 Too bad... I'm not a good photographer

these photos just not justified the beauty of Anapji Pond

I love those pretty reflections on the pond surface.

Thanks for the restoration and maintenance of this historical place, Anapji Pond is reviving to its former glory.

Here are video and more photos of Anapji Pond: 

Drama "Gung (궁) Princess Hours" mesmerising scenes of the front and back palace courtyards were filmed at Anapji Pond. I hope that there will be more films or dramas setting using Anapji Pond as filming location...

 Back to Seoul the next morning by KTX

Unbelievable...  only yellow sticker on the floor
"고객신뢰선 (운임경계선) We Trust You (Only paid customers can cross)"

Goodbye Gorgeous Gyeongju!

Related Post:

~ [Gyeongju] - Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto