Struggling to Choose a Confucian Scholar’s House-site in the Sixteenth Century Chosŏn - The Case of Kwipong (龜峯) Song Ik-p’il (宋翼弼) -

This study aims to examine what the sixteenth century Chosŏn intellectuals considered in deciding a house-site, focusing on the case of Song Ik-p’il (宋翼弼, 1534-1599), a significant Confucian scholar of Sŏin (西人). Existing studies have emphasized that rational and practical theories on a choice of residential sites first appeared in the late Chosŏn Dynasty, assuming that the people of the previous period decided their dwelling mainly based on mystical thoughts like the belief of P’ungsu (風水). This paper, however, argues that the early Chosŏn intellectuals maintained rational viewpoints to seek suitable habitats. This study reveals where Song Ik-p’il lived and how he attempted to relocate his dwelling throughout his whole life. While he lived in Hanyang (漢陽) in his youth, Song spent a lot of time in Kwisan (龜山) after the middle age. After being attacked by his political opponents in the later years, however, he had to move around several regions. Between 1576 and 1585, He relied on several factors in choosing settlements. First, he took account of things regarding his daily life: health problems, surrounding landscapes, financial capabilities, and distances from other family members. These were probably things Confucian scholars of the day had to consider in general. In addition, Song had to take into account his political and academic relations. It was important for him to closely exchange political and academic opinions with his comrades, especially Yi I (李珥) and Sŏng Hon (成渾). Moreover, his new dwelling had to enable him to avoid moral accusations of his father, Song Saryŏn (宋祀連). In conclusion, when he chose residential sites, he did not depend on mystical thoughts, but on rational factors including personal interests and political, academic relations. Discussing a suitable site with his colleagues, he revealed his identity and social responsibility as a Confucian intellectual. It shows that Confucian values worked not only in political and academic discourses but even in daily life.