Management Motivation and Landscape Interpretation of the Geumcheon-Ggugok in Jinju

Abstract

Background and objective: This study aimed to identify the management motivation of Geumcheon-Gugok, located inJinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, which distinguishes it from other Gugok Gardens, and examine what characteristics andmeaning it has in terms of landscape. Methods: The research method was a combination of literature analysis and field survey. Through analyses of old maps andliterature, the establishment background and landscape elements of Geumcheon-Gugok were determined, and thechanges from the original landscape were comparatively examined through field surveys. These field surveys wereconducted a total of four times, and the changes and status of the Geumcheon-Gugok landscape were recorded withdrawings and and photographs. Based on these, the landscape composition and characteristics of each Gok (area arounda bend of meandering streams) were determined. Moreover, historical landscape relics including related pavilions andseowons (Confucian academies) distributed around Geumcheon-Gugok were surveyed and reflected in the study. Results: Boosa Seong Yeo-sin set a total of nine Goks (Gugok) along the Geumcheon Stream by matching the scenery ofGeumcheon-Gugok with that of Zhuzi's Mui-Gugok. Boosa recited the inspiration felt in each Gok as Gugoksi poems,which reveal the various landscape elements that make up the traditional landscape in the scenery of Geumcheon-Gugok. The total stream length of Geumcheon-Gugok is 14 km, making it one of the longest of the Gugok Gardens in Korea. Thedistance between each Gok is irregular, ranging from about 0.5-3.5 km, and the nine Goks were established in a top-downorder according to the flow of the mountain streams. Boosa created Busajeongsa and Bangujeong Pavilions in Gok 7 andused them as a base for academic research. The original landscape of each Gok of Geumcheon-Gugok has been damagedover time and due to urbanization. By establishing and managing Geumcheon-Gugok, Boosa sought to soothe the heartsof the people in the devastated village after the wars, and create an ideal place for life. Conclusion: What makes the management of Geumcheon-Gugok notably different from that of other Gugok Gardens isthat it contains the idea of coexistence, "helping each other and living in harmony." Boosa developed Dongyak (villagecodes) as an institutional device to create an ideal village, and managed Geumcheon-Gugok as a public framework torealize this. He also installed libraries next to pavilions in Geumcheon-Gugok, and operated an educational curriculum asa practical method to cultivate future talents. As such, Boosa's practice is the outcome of the idea of coexistence foreveryone, not just one family or clan. Geumcheon-Gugok is a very valuable landscape relic as the only Gugok Gardenmanaged by the orthodox Nammyeong School in the right region of Gyeongsang-do. However, since the original landscapeis being damaged by rapid urbanization, a proper management plan should be sought.