Dosan Seowon (alternatively, Tosansowon) was established in 1574 in what is
present day Andong, South Korea, in memory of and four years after the death
of Korean Confucian scholar Yi Hwang by some of his disciples and other Korean
Confucian authorities.
Yi Hwang had retired to the location in 1549 and begun construction on the
facility, a private Korean Confucian academy offering instruction in the
classics and honouring the sages with regular memorial rites.
Like other Korean Confucian academies, Dosan Seowon serves two purposes:
education and commemoration. The site was well known in Korea as one of the
leading academies and was home to the Toegye School of Thought for over 400
years.
Although the educational function of the facility has long since ceased, the
commemorative ceremonies have been and are still held twice a year.
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Dosan Seowon map.
The Dosan Seowon complex consists of lecture hall (Dosan Seodang),
dormitory for the students (Nongun Jeongsa), and square lotus pond
(Jeongyodang).
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The lecture hall (Dosan Seodang) is composed of three parts; an
exposed floor, a large room, and a kitchen.
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Walking along the riverside that leads to the academy.
The Nakdonggang River or Nakdonggang is the longest river in South
Korea, and passes through major cities such as Daegu and Busan.
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Sisadan is in the middle of the river.
Sisadan is a monument to commemorate the entrance exam called
gwageo.
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The gwageo or kwago were the national civil service
examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea.
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Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' ability of
writing composition and knowledge of the Chinese classics.
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The form of writing varied from literature to proposals on management
of the state. Technical subjects were also tested to appoint experts
on medicine, interpretation, accounting, law etc.
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These were the primary route for most people to achieve positions in
the bureaucracy.
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See more at
Gwageo - Wikipedia.
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Arriving at the square in front of the academy.
The academy is located in the midst of a dense pine forest, reminding
more of a spiritual retreat than an educational establishment.
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Yet, such beauty and seclusion must certainly have been conducive to
focusing the mind on study and self-improvement.
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Entrance gates to the academy.
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Seodang group
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Dormitory (Nongunjeongsa).
This dormitory was built at the time Yi Hwang taught at Dosan Seodang.
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The size of the dormitory suggests that the academy was indeed an
elite one, for it is difficult to imagine more than 20 people sleeping
there at one time.
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Dorms for Yi Hwang students (Yeoknakseojae).
It is located below the school, and it is an independent space,
surrounded by fences.
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This dormitory was contributed by a father of Toegye's follower,
Jungsasung, when his son entered the school.
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It is a simple building with three rooms on the front side and one
room on the sideline, with Toegye's own handwriting on the hanging
board.
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The garden.
The garden is small but Toegye dug a small square pond called
"Jeongudang" in the eastern part of the compound where he raised lotus
flowers, and planted apricot trees in the western part.
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Toegye used to call apricots, bamboos, chrysanthemums, and pine trees
his "friends", but he loved apricot trees most.
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Livin quarters of the operating staff (Hagojiksa).
The living quarters of the operating staff of the seowon.
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Lecture hall (Dosan Seodang).
This is the oldest structure in the entire complex, constructed by Yi
Hwang himself. Yi Hwang studied and taught here.
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Dosan Seodang is composed of three parts: an exposed floor, a large
room, and a kitchen.
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As Toegye was not wealthy, it took him four years to complete the
construction of this building.
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A small signboard reading "Dosan Seowon", whose calligraphy Toegye he
himself wrote, still hangings on one of the pillars at the end of
Dosan Seodang.
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See more at
Yi Hwang - Wikipedia.
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Extension made of wooden planks.
Looking carefully at the Dosan Seodang floor, you will see an extension
made of wooden planks.
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One of Toegye’s students, Jeonggu, recommended that Toegye extend the
building's floor to accommodate more students.
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But although Toegye turned down Jeonggu's recommendation, Jeonggu and
his fellow students hastily attached wooden planks to the floor while
Toegye was out.
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Consequently, this part of the floor is not very elegant in
construction and appearance.
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Small square pond (Jeongudang).
Toegye dug a small square pond called "Jeongudang" in the eastern part
of the compound where he raised lotus flowers.
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In order to appreciate the shadow of the mountain reflected on the
pond, the designer did not build fence around the pond.
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Seowon group
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Gate Jindomun.
The Seowon group was built over the lecture hall (Dosan Seodang). A
driveway was constructed between the lecture hall (Dosan Seodang) and
the dormitory (Nongwnjeongsa).
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Jindomun is a gate following this way, and divides the Seodang area
from the Seowon area.
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Dormitories (Hongeuijae, Bakyakjae).
Dormitories where the students of the seowon lived and studied.
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Students housed in Dongjae area were more senior than those housed in
Seojae area.
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Hongeuijae means «A scholar should be broad-minded and strong-willed,
and it's because his responsibility is heavy and the way to ethics is
long.»
- Bakyakjae means «Study widely and do politely.»
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Lecture hall (Jeongyodang).
The central building for learning.
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As an academic facility, it consists of a lecture hall and a main
room.
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It has four units on the front and two units on the sides. The roof is
octagonal.
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It has a high stylobate to show dignity and has stairs on both sides.
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Publishing center (Jangpangak).
The publishing center (Jangpangak) was the place where woodblock prints
of important texts were made.
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Each wall side is made of wood panels and the floor is a checkered
floor to prevent moisture damage.
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It has space between the floor and the ground to help ventilation.
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Originally over 2790 woodcuts including literary miscellany,
autographs, memoirs, Dosansipyigok, Seonjoeopil, books on strategies
were kept here.
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But for a systematic classification and safe storage, along with the
books in Kwangmyungsil, all materials were transferred to the "Korean
Studies Advancement Center" on April 2003.
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Living quarters of the operating staff (Sanggojiksa).
The living quarters of the operating staff of the seowon.
- The shape is of a long rectangle from south to north.
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Consists of a total of 21 spaces including 7 rooms, storage and
kitchen.
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Jehyang group
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Ritual storehouse (Jeonsacheong).
This is a storehouse for ritual vessels and ceremonial articles, where
the rituals are prepared.
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Sangdeoksa Shrine.
The spirit tablets of the venerated personalities are enshrined here.
Rituals of remembrance are held at regular intervals and also on special
occasions.
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Okjingak
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Descending towards the museum.
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Museum entrance (Okjingak).
A building housing exhibits and information on the seowon, and on
personalities associated with the seowon.
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Handwritings of Yi Hwang.
Handwritings and handworks of Yi Hwang (left) and Ten diagrams of the
major philosophical systems of Confucianism (right).
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Writing material used by Yi Hwang.
Lamp stand (left), Black stone ink water container (center left),
Inkstone case and Paperweights and Twings (center right), White
porcelain spittoon and Ink water container with plum blossoms (right).
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Everyday objects used by Yi Hwang.
Black wooden desk used by Yi Hwang (left), Arrow throwing pot for the
game of Tuho (center), Blue walking stick used by Yi Hwang (bottom),
Plum blossom stool (right).
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Tuho appears to have come to Korea from China during the Goryeo
period, in 1116 CE, and was popularised by King Yejong. The king's
patronage made the previously banned game into a popular courtly
pastime.
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See more at
Pitch-pot - Wikipedia.
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Ten diagrams of the major philosophical systems of Confucianism.
Confucianism is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient
China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy,
(humanistic or rationalistic) religion, way of governing, or way of
life.
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Confucianism revolves around the pursuit of the unity of the
individual self and the God of Heaven (Tian), or, otherwise said,
around the relationship between humanity and Heaven.
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See more at
Confucianism - Wikipedia.
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Leaving Dosan Seowon Academy.
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See also
Source
Location
