| Gosan
Seowon Confucian Academy (1789, renovated 1920s)
other
sites in Andong |
Andong, Korea |
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Nestled in a secluded valley southwest of Andong, Gosan Seowon is one of the best preserved private academies in the country. Founded in 1789 by disciples of the noted Confucian scholar Yi Sangjong (1719-81), Gosan Seowon was intended as permanent memorial to his legacy and teachings. The academy's architectural features are typical of most academies in the country. The spaces are divided into courtyards, with the front courtyard intended for studying, and the rear one for ceremonial use. Though the founders of Gosan Seowon were genuinely interested in preserving the memory of Yi Sangjong, they probably also hoped that the academy would become a center of local power, as indeed, many private academies became in the late Joseon (Chosön) dynasty. Throughout the 18th century and afterward, many private academies like Gosan Seowon came to own vast tracts of land and many slaves, giving them enormous local power. For more general information on the private academies, visit the Byeongsan Seowon page on this site.
Site plan
(Image credit will come soon)
Bibliography
All images copyright 2000-2002 Abe Ahn and Tim Ciccone
Information from signposts on site.