Gu Sa-maeng explained

Gu Sa-maeng
구사맹

Internal Prince Neungan
(능안부원군, 綾安府院君)

Birth Name:

Gu Sa-maeng (구사맹)

Birth Date:

1531

Birth Place:

Joseon

Death Date:

1626 (aged 94-95)

Death Place:

Woo Temple, Songhyeon Village, Hanseong, Joseon

Burial Place:

Geumgok-dong, Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea

Spouse:

Internal Princess Consort Seowon of the Cheongju Han clan
Internal Princess Consort Pyeongsan of the Pyeongsan Shin clan

Issue:

4 sons and 6 daughters, including Queen Inheon

House:

Neungseong Gu clan

Father:

Gu Sun

Mother:

Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan

Module:

Child:	yes
Hangul:	구사맹
Rr:	Gu Sa-maeng
Mr:	Ku Sa-mêng
Hangulja:	경시
Rrja:	Gyeongsi
Mrja:	Kyŏngsi
Hangulho:	팔곡
Rrho:	Palgok
Mrho:	Palkok
Hangulph:	문의
Rrph:	Munui
Mrph:	Munŭi

Gu Sa-maeng (; 1531–1622) was a 16th century Korean nobleman, military officer and minister. He was the father of Queen Inheon and the maternal grandfather of Injo of Joseon.^[1]

Biography

In 1549 (4th year of King Myeongjong), Gu Sa-maeng was appointed as Jinsa . In 1558, at 27 years old he passed the national examination as a military officer and worked in Seungmunwon as an inspector.^[2]

In 1560, he become a general and three years later, he went to the Ming Dynasty as the secretary of Saeun Temple.^[3] He spent the following years as Ijojwarang and Ijojeongnang .

In 1567 after King Myeongjong's death, Gu become Binjeondogamjejo .^[4] Two years later, in 1569 (2nd year of King Seonjo's reign), he was appointed as the Governor of Hwanghae Province.

In 1587, one of his youngest daughters married Grand Prince Jeongwon, the son of King Seonjo, and became the mother to three sons; one of them becoming the future king.

From then on, he started to serve in numerous government posts in the central and local areas during the reign of Seonjo of Joseon. Meanwhile, during the Imjin War, in 1597 (30th year of King Seonjo's reign), Gu served some of the Royal Princes. At this time, he was a Right Chamchan (2nd senior rank; 우참찬, 右參贊).^[5]

Gu Sa-maeng died on April 1, 1604 (37th year of King Seonjo's reign), at the age of 74 years old due to the relapse of his chronic disease, which had plagued him since he was working in the Uigeumbu.

After his grandson ascended the throne as King Injo, along with posthumously honouring his parents as King and Queen, he also honoured his maternal grandfather as Internal Prince Neungan .^[6] ^[7]

It was said that in Gu's eulogy, it was written that he was a simple and quiet man by nature, and also liked frugality. So he didn't own land or a house, but only enjoyed his coat of arms ("천성이 담백하고 조용하였으며, 검소한 것을 좋아하여 땅이나 집을 장만하지 않고 오로지 문장을 즐겼다.").^[8]

His tomb is located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, along with his two wives, Lady Han and Lady Shin .^[9]

Books

There are two books written by Gu Sa-maeng:^[10]

Yuhuichun
Yihwang

Family

Father - Gu Sun (구순, 具淳/具諄; 1507–1551)
Uncle - Gu Jun (; 1510–?)
- Grandfather - Gu Hui-gyeong (구희경; 具希璟; 1488–1550)
- Grandmother - Lady Shin of the Geochang Shin clan (거창 신씨; 1490–1520), Gu Hui-gyeong’s first wife
Mother - Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (; 1506–1572)
- Grandfather - Yi Jing-won, Prince Uishin (이징원 의신군 부정 승헌; 1462–?)
- Grandmother - Lady Lee of the Jeonui Lee clan (전의 이씨; 1470–?), Prince Uishin’s first wife

Sibling(s)

Older brother - Gu Sa-an (구사안, 具思顔; 1523–1562)
Older sister - Lady Gu (구씨; 1525–?)
Older sister - Lady Gu (구씨; 1527–?)
Older brother - Gu Sa-jeung (구사증; 具思曾; 1528–1610)
Older sister - Lady Gu (구씨; 1530–1592)
Younger sister - Lady Gu (구씨; 1532–?)
Younger brother - Gu Sa-jung (구사중; 具思仲; 1540–1618)
Younger brother - Gu Sa-min (구사민; 具愚閔; 1542–1593)

Wives and their issue:

Internal Princess Consort Seowon of the Cheongju Han clan (; 1532–1544) – No issue.
Internal Princess Consort Pyeongsan of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (평산부부인 평산 신씨; 1538–1622)
- Son – Gu Seong (; 1558–1618)
  - Daughter-in-law – Lady Jeong (; 1559–1591)
  - Daughter-in-law - Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨; 1572–1629)
- Son — Gu Hoeng (구횡; 1562–1636)
  - Daughter-in-law - Lady Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (평산 신씨; 1561–1648)
- Daughter – Lady Gu (; 1563–1620)
  - Son-in-law - Sim Eom (심엄; 沈俺; 1563–1624) of the Cheongsong Sim clan
- Daughter – Lady Gu (; 1564–?)
  - Son-in-law - Hong Hui (홍희; 洪喜; 1564–1637) of the Namyang Hong clan
- Son - Gu Yong (; 1569–1601)
  - Daughter-in-law - Lady Ahn (안씨; 1575–?)
- Son – Gu Gwing (; 1577–1562)
  - Daughter-in-law - Lady Jo (조씨; 1576–1637)
- Daughter - Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan (; 23 May 1578 – 10 February 1626)
  - Son-in-law - Wonjong of Joseon (; 2 August 1580 – 2 February 1620)
    - Grandson - Yi Jong, King Injo (; 7 December 1595 – 17 June 1649)
    - Grandson - Yi Bo, Grand Prince Neungwon (; 15 May 1598 – 26 January 1656)
    - Grandson - Yi Jeon, Grand Prince Neungchang (; 16 July 1599 – 17 November 1615)
- Daughter - Lady Gu (; 1589–1615), Ryu Chung-geol’s first wife
  - Son-in-law - Ryu Chung-geol (류충걸; 柳忠傑; 28 November 1588 – 9 April 1665) of the Jinju Ryu clan

External links

Gu Sa-maeng on the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture .
Gu Sa-maeng on Doosan Encyclopedia .

Notes and References

Web site: 인조 대왕 행장(行狀). Joseon Wangjo Sillok. September 10, 2021. ko.
Web site: 비변사 당상을 인견하고 군량 수송, 명군의 진격, 호남의 방어 등을 논의하다. Joseon Wangjo Sillok. September 10, 2021. ko.
Web site: 왜적을 잡을 때 중국인을 죽인 것을 살피게 하고 천거의 무방함을 말하다. Joseon Wangjo Sillok. September 10, 2021. ko.
Book: Lee Shik. 1996. 국역택당집, Vol. 7. ko. 187. University of California. National Culture Promotion Association. 9788979774139.
Book: 1975. 리조 실록: 선조. Rijo Sillok: Seonjo. ko. 241, 318. University of Michigan. Social Sciences Publishing House.
Web site: 새 능의 터 내에 있는 종친과 신하들의 무덤은 예우하여 옮겨가게 하다. Joseon Wangjo Sillok. September 10, 2021. ko.
Web site: 구사맹(具思孟). Naver Blog. September 10, 2021. ko.
Web site: 따뜻한 성품에 비단옷 걸치지 않은 왕의 어머니. 1 December 2017. Mudeung Ilbo - Sarangbang. September 10, 2021. ko.
Web site: 장릉章陵(추존 원종과 인헌왕후). Joseon Royal Tombs. September 10, 2021. ko.
Book: Shin Byung-joo. 2020. 왕비로 산다는 것. Living as a Queen Consort. ko. Maekyung Publishing. 9791164841776.