Stele of Kim Je-nam

The Stele of Kim Je-nam is a memorial stele from the Joseon period, located in Anchang-ri, Jijeong-myeon, Wonju, Gangwon State. It was designated as a Gangwon State Cultural Heritage Material on June 2, 1984. A memorial stele is erected in front of the tombs of kings or high-ranking officials, or along the road leading to a tomb, to commemorate the achievements of the deceased. The term “sindo” means “the road of spirits.” Kim Je-nam was the father-in-law of King Seonjo, the father of Queen Inmok, and the maternal grandfather of Prince Yeongchang, the ill-fated prince. He was the person who faced the threat of the destruction of his family. In a power struggle over the succession to the throne, he and his three children were forced to drink poison, and he suffered the humiliation of having his corpse exhumed and mutilated. Only after the Injo Restoration was his honor restored, and a shrine was built for him. He was later posthumously awarded the position of Chief State Councillor. The large stele, which is over 3 m tall, has a large capstone and body stone, making the relatively small supporting stone appear undersized, but the overall impression is neat and orderly. The traces of Kim Je-nam engraved on the body stone have been worn away by the passage of time and are now difficult to decipher. The supporting stone is shaped like a turtle rather than a dragon, and it is unusual in that the turtle’s head is turned backward as if looking back at the stele. The capstone is richly carved with images of dragons pushing through the clouds.