Structure and Change of the Operating Regulations of Seowon in Gyeongsang-do from the 16th to the Early 17th Centuries

Author : ​Lee, Kyung-dong

Page : 5-54

Abstract

  The purpose of this study is to analyze the operational regulations of Seowon in the Gyeongsang-do region from the 16th century to the early 17th century, and to analyze the times through changes thereof.

  In 1543, Baekwoondong-seowon was established, and its operating regulation was established by Ju-Sebung. This academy regulation consisted of 12 items, most of them related to management centered on local government officials and operators. Since then, the academy regulation of Baekwoondong-sewon influenced the operational regulations of Yeongbong-seowon established in 1559 and Yimgo-seowon established in 1562. These Seowons established operating regulations by revising or adding some provisions to the academy regulation of Baekwoonong-seowon according to regional characteristics.

  In 1559, Yi-Hwang established the operating regulation of Isan- seowon, which showed the difference from the regulation established by Ju Se-bung. The operating regulation of Isan-seowon focused on students' learning activities and living norms, and tended to minimize the intervention of public authority, including local government officials. The regulation of Isan-seowon was distributed not only to Seowons whose foundation was led by Yi-Hwang and his disciples, but also to Seowon which were built in the mid and late 16th century. They established their own operating regulations by revising or adding some provisions to the regulation of Isan-seowon.

  As Seowon began to be actively built throughout the Gyeongsang-do region after the mid-16th century, various academy regulations were also established as the guideline for operation. The regulation of Osan- seowon established by Ryu Woon-Ryoung in 1588 and the revised regulation of Yimgo-seowon that accepted the Osan-seowon’s regulation consisted of more than 60 provisions, showing a more detailed trend than before. Jeong-Gu established the operating regulations of both Cheongok-seowon and Dodong-seowon, which were found to have differences along with commonalities.

  As described above, Seowon’s operation regulations established in Gyeongsang-do from the 16th to the early 17th century developed in the interrelationship between each Seowon, and this shows various characteristics of Seowon’s operation in Joseon society.​​

< Key Words >

Seowon(書院), Academy Regulation(院規), Ju-Sebung(周世鵬), Yi-Hwang(李滉), Ryu Woon-Ryoung(柳雲龍), Jeong-Gu(鄭逑)​