Astronomy and the Hermitages developed by Scholars in the Middle Era of Choseon -The case of Chang Hyon-gwang(1554-1637)-

조선중기 은거선비의 집터와 별자리의 관계 -장현광(張顯光)(1554-1637)의 "입암기(立巖記)"에 대해서 -

Ip-am valley, located at the eastern remote part of Korean peninsular was the place where a remarkable Confucian scholar Chang Hyon-gwang spent his secluded days. A large upright stone, called Ip-am, and undulating streams nearby were surrounded by mountains, which formed a large enclosed valley. After selecting 28 natural and artificial places, Chang named each of them. Chang compared the relationship between Ip-am and the 28 places with that of the Polestar and 28 Lunar Lodgings, which were known as the ancient Chinese astronomical concept. Also, Chang regarded the valley as a place where the Taoistic Deity could stay. Chang, who had deep knowledge of astronomy, wrote some books on it. It could be said that the comparison of his hermitages with the Polestar and the 28 Lunar Lodgings resulted from his deep passion for astronomy. He considered the Ip-am valley to be the core of the universe like the Polestar is the core of the celestial world. Some stars like the Polestar or the Dipper were regarded as the Deities of Taoism. We can find that Confucian scholars of the middle Choseon, like Chang Hyon-gwang, also tended to have some concern about Taoism.