Dosan Seowon

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Dosan Seowon
Korean name
Hangul 도산서원 Hanja 陶山書院 Revised Romanization Dosan seowon McCune-Reischauer Tosan sŏwŏn

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 Confucian scholar Yi Hwang by some of his disciples and other Confucian authorities. Yi Hwang had retired to the location in 1549 and begun construction on the facility, a private Confucian academy offering instruction in the classics and honouring the sages with regular memorial rites.

Like other 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.

The ancient academy was royally chartered in 1575 by King Seonjo and was featured on the reverse of the South Korean 1,000 won bill from 1975 until 2007.

Contents 1 Photos 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Photos

The publishing center (Jangpan-gak) at Dosan Seowon, where woodblock prints of important texts were made.

The library (raised to avoid humidity damage).

Vivid autumn foliage.

The modern museum building.

[edit] See also

• List of seowon
• Confucianism
• Yi Hwang
• Won
• Tourism in South Korea

[edit] References

• Tosansowon, South Korean Historic Site No. 170 Plaque, on site at Dosan Seowon, October 1, 2000.

[edit] External links

• Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy. Asian Historical Architecture. Retrieved on February 3, 2006.
• Dosan Seowon: Most prestigious school of Joseon Dynasty era (http). Korea Now (2002). Retrieved on February 3, 2006.