Gosanseowon (Andong)

About this place

This academy is Gosanseowon, which commemorates the 18th-century Confucian scholar Yi Sang-jeong, known by the courtesy name Daesan and the posthumous title Mungyeonggong. It was established in 1789 (the 13th year of King Jeongjo) by the common consent of the Confucian community. Having passed the state examination at the age of 25, the master held various offices and was appointed Third Minister of the Ministry of Works, but he resigned; inheriting Toegye's scholarly lineage, he studied Neo-Confucianism while cultivating younger scholars, and the disciples listed in his roll of students alone numbered as many as 273. In 1882 (the 19th year of King Gojong) he was posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel, and in 1910 he was granted the posthumous title Mungyeonggong. There is a 27-volume collection of his writings, and he left many works, including Igi-hwipyeon, Jeyang-nok, Toegyeseo-jeoryo, Sarye-sangbyeon-tonggo, and Byeongmyeong-balhwi. On the whole it is large in scale and has formal dignity; in particular, both ends of Angji-jae and Baekseung-gak are furnished with open wooden-floored halls so that one may savor the surrounding scenery.