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Living Hakkun's Dream

This is the land I promised but I will not let you go there.
Deuteronomy 34:4

 
Updated: June 16, 2008: 11:00 am
 
   

Wise mother: Lady Shin
신 사임당 / 오죽헌

Lady Shin Saimdang was born in 1504 and lived until 1551. She became the most outstanding woman artist in Korea with her brilliant paintings and poetry as well as embroidery and sewing.

Her birthplace and estate are preserved as the Ojukheon Museum located on the northeast coast of South Korea not far from the North Korean border and near the spectacular Sorak mountain park in South Korea.

Both Lady Shin and her son Yi Yulgok (the most famous philosopher, economist, and statesman of the Chosun Dynasty) are buried in the town of Paju on the west coast of Korea; not far from Panmunjom and Seoul.

Lady Shin was honored on a Korean postage stamp in 2000. In 2009 her picture will be on the 50,000 won banknote (US $50). Her son, Yi Yulgok, is on the 5,000 won banknote (US $5).

 
   

Korean postage stamp honoring    Picture to be used on the 50,000 won
Lady Shin.                                      banknote (US $50) in 2009.

 

 

Looking Homeward From a Mountain Pass

by Shin Saimdang

Leaving my old mother in the seaside town,

Alas! I am going alone up to Seoul,

As I turn, once in a while, to look homeward on my way,

White clouds rush down the darkening blue mountains.

 
 
     
        

Three pieces of art by Lady Shin.                                                                                public domain photos from Wikipedia article on Shin Saimdang

 
     

Inner gate leading from the Yulguk monument to Lady Shin's birthplace                     digital photo by Edward Massengill, April 21, 2002