Sin Malju

Sin Malju (申末舟, 1429 – 1503) was a Joseon civil official. His family seat was Goryeong, his courtesy name was Jajip (子楫), and his pen name was Gwiraejeong (歸來亭). He was the younger brother of Sin Sook-ju (申叔舟).¹

Life

He was the great-grandson of the painter Sin Deok-rin (申德隣). His grandfather was Sin Po-si (申包翅), Vice Minister of the Board of Works, and his father was Sin Jang (申檣), Vice Minister of the Board of Works. His mother was the daughter of Jeong Yu (鄭有).¹

In 1454 (2nd year of King Danjong), he passed the Saengwon examination, and in the same year he passed the regular civil service examination (식년 문과) in the third rank, eventually rising to the post of Grand Remonstrator (大司諫). He was calm and unassuming in temperament and did not enjoy holding office. After King Danjong abdicated the throne, he resigned from his post, withdrew, and lived in Sunchang, where he built Gwiraejeong and enjoyed the landscape.¹ He withdrew to Sunchang, his wife's hometown, in opposition to the enthronement of Grand Prince Suyang. His wife, Lady Seol, excelled in literature and painting, and the Seol Ssi Buin Gwonseonmun (設氏夫人 勸善文) is designated as Treasure No. 728.²

It is said that his elder brother Sin Sook-ju strongly urged him to take up office, but he did not follow his wishes. However, according to the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, it is true that Sin Malju went down to Sunchang in the spring of 1470 (1st year of King Seongjong) and, not returning to the capital for a long time, was briefly dismissed from office. Afterward, however, he served as Magistrate of Jeonju in 1476, Magistrate of Changwon Protectorate in 1483, Commander of Military Affairs of Gyeongsang Right Province and Grand Remonstrator in 1487, and in the following year as Chief Military Advisor of the Central Military Office and Naval Commander of Jeolla.