Okseong Seowon

About this place

Okseong Seowon, located in Oenam-myeon, Sangju, originated from Suyang Seodang, one of the 18 village schools established by Sin Jam, the magistrate of Sangju, and became Okseong Seowon in 1631 when the village school was elevated to an academy. A seowon was a private local educational institution of the Goryeo and Joseon periods, established to enshrine the tablets of eminent Confucian scholars, hold memorial rites, and educate and edify local residents. Originally built at the foot of Suyangsan (Seosan) Mountain, it enshrined and held rites for Kim Deuk-bae, Sin Jam, Kim Beom, Yi Jeon, and Yi Jun, but in 1648 Seosan collapsed in a flood and buried the academy. It was later relocated a short distance to the north in 1692; then, after being demolished in 1868 under Regent Heungseon Daewongun's edict abolishing private academies, an altar was set up on the site and memorial rites continued to be held there until it was restored in 1977. Within the grounds are the Myeongnyundang, a space for teaching, and the Gyeongdeoksa shrine, and a memorial rite is held on the middle jeong day of March each year.