Rector of the Sungkyunkwan under Seongjong; scholar-official from Jangheung
| Life | 1414 ~ 1490 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 광주 노씨 |
No Ja-hyeong (1414-1490) was an official of early Joseon from Gwangju (光州), born in Jangheung, South Jeolla. Jangheung is counted one of the important home areas of the Gwangju No, and he is among its best-known figures. He passed the regular civil examination in 1450 (the accession year of Munjong).
He is said to have been upright in character and pure in learning, declining office early on grounds of minor illness and not seeking advancement. The king, hearing of his name, summoned him and in 1477 (Seongjong 8) appointed him Saye of the Sungkyunkwan to teach younger scholars, and many of his pupils are said to have achieved much. After various posts he reached Rector (Daesaseong) of the Sungkyunkwan in 1482.
At seventy he asked to retire but was refused; because of a disability in his left leg he was given a leisurely post to rest. He became Deputy Commissioner of the Border Defense Council in 1488, and when in 1489 he left office to return home, students and officials who had studied under him came out to the eastern suburb to see him off, the crowd of official caps and carriage canopies filling the road. The scene shows the respect people had for him. He died in 1490. This is a summary based on Wikipedia; his posthumous title and tomb were not confirmed here.
No Ja-hyeong is known for declining office on grounds of minor illness and not seeking advancement, until the king, hearing of his name, called him to the Sungkyunkwan. From Saye to Rector he devoted himself to teaching younger scholars, an educator-type official. If No Su-sin shows the peak of politics and learning among the Gwangju No, No Ja-hyeong is a contrast, a provincial scholar respected for education.
Jangheung in South Jeolla is among the representative clan villages of the Gwangju No. That No Ja-hyeong came from Jangheung and reached Rector of the Sungkyunkwan shows the Gwangju No establishing themselves in Honam through learning. The scene of his pupils seeing him off at the eastern suburb on his way home in 1489 conveys his standing as a teacher.
His tomb and posthumous title were not confirmed in this research.