Gosan Seowon (Uljin)

About this place

Gosan Seowon was an academy located in Gumi Village, Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, that enshrined the memorial tablets of the Joseon-era civil officials Im Yu-hu, Kim Si-seup, and O Do-il. In 1628 Im Yu-hu came down to this place, built a pavilion on Mount Gosan, and for some twenty years taught disciples and pursued scholarship. After his death, his disciples built Gosansa to commemorate Im Yu-hu. Later, O Do-il, who was appointed magistrate of this area, erected Dongbong Byeolmyo—naming it Guamsa—at Jucheondae in Haenggok-ri, a place Kim Si-seup had often visited, in order to honor his scholarship and virtuous conduct. After O Do-il died, in 1715 the academy received the royal charter name 'Gosan' and was elevated to Gosan Seowon, coming to jointly enshrine Im Yu-hu, Kim Si-seup, and O Do-il. Gosan Seowon was demolished while it was responsible for venerating past sages and for local education, and it was never restored thereafter. The memorial tablets were buried in the ground, and today only a memorial stele (yuheobi) remains on the academy site. Before this academy was demolished, its precinct buildings included Gosansa, a lecture hall, a spirit gate, an eastern dormitory, and a western dormitory.