Documents of Piramseowon Confucian Academy

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.587

Category

Books & Records

Designated year

1975

Location

북구, 광주광역시— 광주 북구 하서로 110, 국립광주박물관 (매곡동,국립광주박물관)

Coordinates

35.189095, 126.883091

Piramseowon is a Confucian academy founded in 1590 (the 23rd year of King Seonjo’s reign). It was awarded a name tablet by the king in 1662 (the 3rd year of King Hyeonjong’s reign). In its shrine are honored the memories of Kim In-hu (1510-1560) and Yang Ja-jing (1523-1594). Kim In-hu was a Confucian scholar and a government official of mid-Joseon. His government career began in 1540 when he successfully passed the civil service examination. At the outbreak of Literati Purge of 1545, he left the capital city for his hometown Jangseong, on the false pretext of an illness. An accomplished poet and penman, Kim In-hu left ten collections of poetry and essays. Neo-Confucian theories developed by him are also considered highly important to the history of Joseon Confucianism. The Treasure-designated documents are sixty-four sheets in fourteen books. The documents span about three hundred years from 1624 (the 2nd year of King Injo’s reign) to 1900 and range from Wonjang seonsaengan which lists the names of all past directors of the Confucian academy to Bogangan, the list of names of instructors and seminar participants, Mungyean, the list of memorial participants, Seohaeyuanseo, the list of students, Piramseowon wonjeok, the list of the Confucian academy’s assets and properties, and Jangseongbusa hacheop, a document given from the Governor of Jangseong to the institution. These various documents, telling of how Piramseowon was organized and run, are of great significance for research into local educational institutions in Joseon and the social and economic history of this period.

Location