Angbuilgu Daeseok at Jongmyo Shrine

Next to Hamabi of Jongmyo stands a stone staircase known as “Daeseok,” which serves as a stone pedestal supporting other objects. Atop Daeseok rests “Angbuilgu,” a type of sundial from the Joseon Dynasty. “Angbu” refers to “an iron pot looking up to the heavens.” Angbuilgu was installed in Jongmyo Shrine during the 16th year of King Sejong’s reign (1434). However, during the Imjin War, the Japanese invasion of 1592, the sundial component vanished, leaving only the stylobate behind. During that period, people referred to the stylobate as “Iryeongdae.” In 1898, construction commenced to lay streetcar tracks, resulting in the burial of the stylobate underground and its eventual erasure from people's memories. Fortunately, during the excavation to reorganize the Jongmyo area, Angbuilgu Daeseok resurfaced and was relocated to Tapgol Park on Jongno 3-ga. Subsequently, during the restoration of Jongmyo Park (Jongmyo Square), it returned to its original location in front of Jongmyo. Despite the disappearance of the sundial, which once sat atop the sturdy granite stone, Angbuilgu Daeseok has reemerged, rekindling people's interest.