Shin Saimdang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shin Saimdang
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| Born | October 29, 1504 Ojukheon, Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Kingdom of Joseon
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| Died | May 17, 1551 (aged 46) |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Occupation | Artist, calligraphist, poet |
| Children | 5 sons including Yi I, and 3 daughters |
| Family | Pyeongsan Shin clan (by birth) Deoksu Yi clan (by marriage) |
| Korean name | |
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| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Sin Saimdang |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sin Saimtang |
| Birth name | |
| Hangul | |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Sin Inseon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sin Insŏn |
Shin Saimdang (신사임당; 29 October 1504 – 17 May 1551) was a famous Korean artist, writer, and poet. She lived during the Joseon period, a time when Korea was a kingdom. She was born in Gangneung, a city in Gangwon Province. Her childhood home, called Ojukheon, is still there today.
Shin Saimdang is also known as the mother of Yi I, a very important scholar in Korean history. People often called her Eojin Eomeoni, which means "Wise Mother," because she was seen as a perfect example of a good mother and wife. Her real name was Shin In-seon. She used several pen names, like Saimdang. She was a contemporary of another famous poet, Heo Nanseolheon, and they were sometimes seen as rivals.
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Her Early Life and Learning
Shin Saimdang grew up in Gangneung at her grandparents' house. Her father, Shin Myeong-hwa, was a government official. Her mother, Lady Yi, lived with her own parents even after marriage. This gave her more freedom to teach her daughters.
Saimdang's grandfather also taught her a lot, just as he would have taught a grandson. This was unusual for girls back then. She learned about Confucianism, history, and literature. Her father was very impressed by her talents. Since she had no brothers, she received an education usually only given to sons. This helped her later when she taught her own children.
Shin Saimdang was good at many things. Besides reading and writing, she was skilled in calligraphy, embroidery, and painting. People praised her writing and drawing.
Her Marriage and Family
Shin Saimdang married Yi Won-su when she was 19. Her father chose him because he would let Saimdang continue her artwork. This was very important to her family.
After they married, Saimdang often went back to her parents' home in Gangneung. Her father died the same year she married. So, she traveled between her husband's home in Paju and her mother's home to care for her. She also moved with her husband to different places when he had official jobs.
Shin Saimdang and Yi Won-su had eight children: five boys and three girls. Her third son was Yi I, who became a very famous scholar. When she was 33, she went back to Gangneung to give birth to him. Later, she wrote a poem about missing her mother when she left Gangneung.
Shin Saimdang was a strong-willed woman. She encouraged her husband to study hard. She even threatened to cut her hair if he didn't focus on his studies.
Challenges and Her Passing
Shin Saimdang and her husband had some difficult times. Their disagreements affected their children. Her son, Yi I, wanted his family to be peaceful.
When Shin Saimdang became ill, her son Yi I prayed for her every day. He went to his grandfather's shrine and prayed for an hour. His family was touched to find him praying so sincerely.
Sadly, her illness got worse. Shin Saimdang passed away suddenly on May 17, 1551, when she was 46 years old. Her death deeply affected Yi I. He wondered about life and death for a long time after she was gone.
Her Family Members
- Father: Shin Myeong-hwa
- Mother: Lady Yi of the Yongin Yi clan
- Maternal Grandfather: Yi Sa-on
- Husband: Yi Won-su of the Deoksu Yi clan
- Children:
- Son: Yi Seon
- Daughter: Yi Mae-chang
- Son: Yi Byeon
- Daughter: Lady Yi of the Deoksu Yi clan
- Son: Yi I (a very famous scholar)
- Daughter: Lady Yi of the Deoksu Yi clan
- Son: Yi U
Her Amazing Artwork
In the Joseon period, women were often not encouraged to show their talents after marriage. But Shin Saimdang was different. She could develop her skills because she had no brothers, so she could stay at her childhood home. Also, her father chose a husband who would let her continue her art.
Shin Saimdang's art is known for its beautiful details. She loved to paint insects, flowers, butterflies, grapes, and landscapes. About 40 of her paintings still exist today. Many more are believed to have been created.
Not many of her calligraphy works remain. However, her writing style was highly praised during her time. Important officials and art experts wrote about her work. One scholar said her paintings of grapes and landscapes were as good as those by the famous artist An Gyeon. In 1868, a governor admired her calligraphy, saying it was "thoughtfully written, with nobility and elegance."
Her children also had artistic talent. Her son Yi U was so good at drawing insects that chickens would try to peck them, thinking they were real! Yi U was also a talented poet. Her eldest daughter, Yi Mae-chang, was also a good poet and was called "Little Shin Saimdang."
Famous Poems
- Looking Back at my Parents' Home while Going Over Daegwallyeong Pass (유대관령망친정) – A poem about leaving her mother and feeling sad.
- Thinking of Parents (사친) – A poem showing her deep love for her mother.
Famous Paintings
- Landscape (자리도)
- Mountains and rivers (산수도)
- Grass and insect painting (초충도)
- Geese among reeds (노안도)
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Chochungdo, a type of painting Shin Saimdang started, showing plants and insects
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Another Chochungdo painting
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A third Chochungdo painting
Her Lasting Legacy
Shin Saimdang was the first woman to appear on a South Korean banknote! The Bank of Korea released the 50,000 won note in June 2009. Her picture and some of her drawings are on the front of the bill. Other paintings are shown on the back.
The Bank of Korea chose Shin Saimdang because she was a "representative female artist" and "a person who achieved great things in education." They hoped her image would help people think about gender equality and the importance of education and family in Korea.
Shin Saimdang in Pop Culture
Shin Saimdang's life has been shown in movies and TV shows:
- She was played by Ko Eun-ah in the 1978 film Scholar Yul-gok and His Mother Shin Saimdang.
- Kim Ye-ryeong and Jeong In-sun played her in the 2003 EBS TV series Yeoksa Theater.
- Kim Ye-ryeong also played her in the 2005 EBS TV series Jump.
- Lee Young-ae and Park Hye-su played her in the 2017 SBS TV series Saimdang, Memoir of Colors.
See also
In Spanish: Shin Saimdang para niños
- Yi I
- History of Korea
- Korean painting
