Tour Through Time: Stop 30: Jeju Island

68 miles later and we arrive in our final destination for our Tour Through Time on Jeju Island. It’s been a tough but fun 17 months; we have travelled a total of 2,458 miles and learnt a lot about the history behind our Tae Kwon-Do pattern meanings. We initially had planned to cover the distanceContinue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 30: Jeju Island”

Tour Through Time: Stop 28: Yeong-Chwisan Mountain

23 miles later and we arrive at Yeong-Chwisan Mountain to visit a monastery. Choi Hyong-Ung was born in 1520 and educated in Neo-Confucianism before becoming a Buddhist monk, despite Buddhism being frowned upon at the time. He travelled a lot, staying at various monasteries and teaching Buddhism to those that needed it. In 1544 KingContinue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 28: Yeong-Chwisan Mountain”

Tour Through Time: Stop 27: Sachon Bay

85 miles later and we arrive in Sachon Bay to celebrate the final battle of Yi Soon-Sin. Yi Soon-Sin was born on 28th April 1545 in Hanseong. From a young age he was proficient in reading and writing Chinese and making bows and arrows. At 31 he took his military exam, where he impressed theContinue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 27: Sachon Bay”

Tour Through Time: Stop 26: Daewangam Park

26 miles later and we arrive in Daewangam Park, the burial place of Moon Moo. Prince Kim Beom-Min (Moon Moo) was born in 626 AD the son of King Muyeol and Queen Mun-Myeong (the sister of Kim Yoo Sin). During King Muyeol’s reign, Prince Kim Beom-Min was responsible for Silla’s navy. We learnt at Nonsan-SiContinue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 26: Daewangam Park”

Tour Through Time: Stop 25: Bunhwangsa Temple

14 miles later and we arrive at the Bunhwangsa Temple in Gyeongju. Bunhwangsa means “Fragrant Emperor/Imperial Temple” and it was first established in 634 AD under Queen Seondeok of the Silla Dynasty. Buddhism had been adopted by the Silla Dynasty in 527 AD by King Beop-Heung, and the temple was originally several acres in size,Continue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 25: Bunhwangsa Temple”

Tour Through Time: Stop 22: Dosan Seowon

94 miles later and we arrive at the Confucian Academy of Dosan Seowon, Andong. Yi Hwang was born near here in On’gye-ri on 25th November 1501, the youngest of 8 children. His Uncle taught him the Analects of Confucius at just 12 years old. He then moved onto writing poetry after admiring the work ofContinue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 22: Dosan Seowon”

Tour Through Time: Stop 21: Nonsan Si

11 short miles later and we arrive at the battle site of Hwangsanbeol where Ge Baek fought Kim Yoo Sin. We discussed at our last stop how horrendously outnumbered the Baekje army were, and how Ge Baek knew it was a suicide battle. It is said that as their 5,000 troops assembled before the 50,000Continue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 21: Nonsan Si”

Tour Through Time: Stop 19: Cheongju Si

It’s been a leisurely paced 110 miles as the weather has been very cold and we have been snacking on mince pies, but we have finally reached our next destination of Cheongju in Chungcheong Province. Here on 8th April 1861 Son Byong-Hi was born. Not a lot is known about his early life, but inContinue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 19: Cheongju Si”

Tour Through Time: Stop 18: Ojukheon House

77 Miles later we arrive at Ojukheon House in Gangneung where Confucian scholar Yi I was born on 26th December 1536. The house was built during the reign of King Jung-Jong (1506-1544) and was named after the black bamboo trees which surrounded it. It is now one of the oldest wooden residential buildings in KoreaContinue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 18: Ojukheon House”

Tour Through Time: Stop 17: Yeoju-Gun

Se-Jong (born Yi-Do) was the grandson of King Taejo (Yi Seong-Gye) and the 3rd son of King Tae-Jong. He was born on 7th May 1397 and excelled in his studies, being named Grand Prince Choong-Nyung at the age of just 12. His older brother Yi-Je recognised his “kingly” qualities and in order to ensure Se-JongContinue reading “Tour Through Time: Stop 17: Yeoju-Gun”