Changuimun
37°35′33.41″N 126°57′59.74″E / 37.5926139°N 126.9665944°E
Changuimun | |
Korean name | |
---|---|
Hangul | 창의문 |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Changuimun |
McCune–Reischauer | Ch'angoemun |
Changuimun (
History
Changuimun was originally built in 1396. Along with Hyehwamun (the Northeast Gate), Changuimun served as a major portal for those exiting the walled city of Seoul, then known as Hanyang (한양, 漢陽) to travel north. (Sukjeongmun, the North Gate, had a largely ceremonious function.) The wooden gatehouse above Changuimun was burned down during the 16th century invasions by Japan, but was rebuilt in 1740 or 1741. The gatehouse is currently the oldest gatehouse of those on the “Four Small Gates” (사소문) in the Fortress Wall of Seoul.[1] The name Changuimun means literally “Showing the Correct Thing Gate.”[2]
Preservation
Changuimun is located in
If approaching the gate from the west, visitors notice there is a gate-like tunnel leading up to the gate itself. (See image below.)
The gate is known for being in a very early state of preservation,[3] compared with the rest of the Eight Gates of Seoul.
The wooden rafters on the interior of the gate are decorated with chickens, which were known as enemies of the centipede.[4] This is in contrast to Hyehwamun, whose rafters are decorated with the phoenix, enemies of small birds.
Very close to Changuimun are memorials to two people who lost their lives defending South Korea during the
Visitors can walk through the passageway to view gate. People are allowed to go up the stairs.[5]
Images
Changuimun, front of gate, June 2012. | |
Changuimun, rear of gate, June 2012. Visitors walking through gate. | |
Changuimun, rear of gate, showing wooden gatehouse, June 2012. | |
Changuimun, signboard of gate. | |
Changuimun, rafter detail inside gate showing chicken design. | |
Changuimun gatehouse, reconstructed in the 18th century. | |
Changuimun gatehouse detail, showing Fortress Wall continuation across street. |
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Changuimun, photo taken from underneath gate, showing tunnel leading up to gate. | |
Statue of Choi Gyu-sik, located next to Changuimun. in Buam-dong, Seoul |
References
- ^ "Changuimun (Gate)". Visit Seoul. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27.
- ^ "The Gates and Walls of Seoul". Korean News Today. Archived from the original on 2012-12-08.
- ^ "Changuimun (Gate)". Visit Seoul. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27.
- ^ "Changuimun Gate (Jahamun Gate)". Visit Korea.
- ^ "theseoulguide". Retrieved 1 December 2014.