Akgangmyo is the hanging wooden plaque of the shrine in Pyoamjae Ritual House, which was established in Dongcheon-dong, Kyeongju, to pay tribute to Yi Alpyeong, the progenitor of Yi clan from Kyeongju. This wooden plaque, measuring 161cm by 65, was donated by Clan Gathering of Pyoam, Yi clan from Kyeongju. The term ‘Akgang’ was derived from a passage in “Song Gao” of the Book of Poetry, which runs, “Grandly lofty are the mountains (Ak), With their large masses reaching to the heavens. From these mountains was sent down (Kang) a Spirit, Who gave birth to the princes of Fu and Shen. Fu and Shen, Are the support of Zhou, Screens to all the States, Diffusing their influence over the four quarters of the kingdom. [崧高維嶽 駿極于天 維嶽降神 生甫及申 維申及甫 維周之翰 四國于蕃 四國于宣]” Thus the name suggests that the enshrined figure was sent down to this world by spiritual energy of lofty mountain.
Yi Alpyeong was the Headman in Alchenyangsan-chon Village and later served as a high official in the early Silla period. He became the progenitor of Yi clan from Kyeongju since the surname Yi was conferred on him by King Yuri of Silla (r. 24-57) in 32. And then in 536 (23rd year of King Beopheung of Shilla), a posthumous title Munseon was additionally conferred on him.
The calligraphy of this plaque is written in the square style by an unknown hand. It feels quite natural to associate the widely spread appearance of ‘嶽’ with the familiar landscape of the mountain ridge stretching away. Despite the general assumption that ‘降’ and ‘廟’ represent something divine and spiritual, the brushwork renders both characters with unstrained easiness, so that they appear friendly and familiar.