Deokbong Jeongsa is the hanging wooden plaque in the possession of Sojeong family descended from Lord Deokbong lineage, Yi clan from Kyeongju. The beginning of Deokbong Jeongsa Study Hall traces back to a humble cottage built by Yi Jintaek (1738-1805, pen name Deokbong), who left his hometown Bang-eo-ri to settle down in Sojeong-ri, Kyeongju. After resigning from the government post, Yi devoted himself to teaching younger students in his cottage, which then to be called Deokbongjeong Pavilion. It was later in 1905 (42nd year of King Gojong) that Yi’s great-grandson Yi Uyeong (1822-1913, pen name Yaeun) undertook the relocation and expansion of the building in Ma-dong, Kyeongju and named it Deokbong Jeongsa Study Hall to honor the learning and virtues of Yi Jintaek. The name ‘Deokbong’ was taken from nearby Mt. Daedeoksan.
The calligraphy letters are written in the semi-cursive style by Kim Seongeon (1835-1919, pen name Haesa), a famous calligrapher in the late Joseon period. The character formation of ‘德’ shows an interesting development. Although forceful strokes on the left side are followed by rather lighter vertical stroke, fleshy strokes on the right side nicely make up for the possible lack of stability.