Shin Saimdang was a Korean artist, writer, calligraphist, noted poet, and the mother of the Korean Confucian scholar Yulgok.
Background
Shin Saimdang was born and raised in Gangneung at the home of her maternal grandparents. Her father, Shin Myeonggwa (申命和) was a government official but did not actively join politics. Her mother was Lady Yi, the daughter of Yi Saon (李思溫).
Career
Often held up as a model of Confucian ideals, her respectful nickname was Eojin Eomeoni (어진 어머니. "Wise Mother"). Her real name was Inseon. Her pennames were Saimdang, Inimdang and Imsajae.
Shin had four younger sisters.
Besides literature and poetry, she was adept at calligraphy, embroidery and painting. Feminist critics, however, have criticized her selection as reinforcing sexist stereotypes about women"s roles.