Scholar said to be skilled in the Book of Changes, astronomy and geomancy; pen name Gyeogam
| Life | 1509 ~ 1571 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 영양 남씨 |
Nam Sa-go (南師古, 1509-1571) was a mid-Joseon scholar of the Yeongyang Nam clan with pen name Gyeogam (格庵) and courtesy name Gyeong-won or Gyeong-cho. The son of Nam Hui-baek, a Board of Personnel secretary, he was born in Sugok-ri, Uljin, and is known as a great-grandson of Nam Ho, founder of the Manho-gong branch.
He devoted himself to Confucian learning in youth and is said to have mastered the Book of Changes, astronomy and geography in middle age. He reportedly kept the 'Elementary Learning' at his desk all his life, was recommended for filial conduct and appointed chambong of the Sajikseo in 1564, and in his last years served as instructor at the Gwansanggam. He was enshrined at the Uljin local shrine in 1709 and later called the 'Kang Jie of Haedong'.
The 'Gyeogam Yurok' attributed to him came to light in 1977, and Wikipedia notes that the prevailing view among historians is that it is a forgery not worth serious examination. Other texts such as the 'Nam Sa-go Bigyeol' became known via the 'Jeonggamnok' only after the 18th century, so attribution to him cannot be confirmed. The 'nine-heaven ten-burials' story about moving his father's grave is also a folk tale. See the Yeongyang Nam clan page for the clan overview.
Nam Sa-go is said to have begun with Confucianism and broadened into the Book of Changes, astronomy and geography. Under King Myeongjong he was recommended for filial conduct and became a chambong, later an instructor at the Gwansanggam. His pen name Gyeogam is said to come from an insight into the 'investigation of things' in the Great Learning.
The 'Gyeogam Yurok' came to light in February 1977, and historians largely do not accept it as Nam Sa-go's work. Stories of his prophecies are interesting, but it is wise to separate fact from folk tale.
The Uljin Sinmun reports that Sanghyeonsa in Hwaseong 1-ri, Jukbyeon-myeon, Uljin enshrines Nam Sa-go with the settler ancestor (Nam Yeong-beon) and Haeun Nam Gye-myeong. He was also enshrined in the Uljin local shrine in 1709.
The location of his tomb was not confirmed. He was born at Sugok-ri, Geunnam-myeon, Uljin, and is said to be enshrined with the settler ancestor and others at Sanghyeonsa in Hwaseong-ri, Jukbyeon-myeon.
From the Manho-gong branch, he is counted as the representative figure of the Yeongyang Nam around Uljin.