[Yeongju] Sosuseowon Confucian Academy (영주 소수서원)

Seowon (서원) was a private Confucian academy during Joseon Dynasty to equip students with Confucian virtues and knowledge.  

Sosu Seowon (previously known as Baekundong) was established by Ju Sebung, the governor of Punggi in year 1543 to hold memorial service to great Neo-Confucian philosopher of Goryeo Dynasty, An Hyang (1243-1306). 

Treasure No 1402 - Munseonggongmyo (문성공묘) 

Confucian Memorial Service Hall 

The latest drama that was filmed here is “Love in the Moonlight (구르미 그린 달빛)”, starred by Bu Geom Park and Yu Jeong Kim was filmed near Gyeongryeomjeong Pavilion outside Munseonggongmyo. 

Memorial Service area includes Munseonggongmyo Shrine, Jeonsacheong Preparation Hall (전사청) and Yeongjeonggak Portrait Hall (영정각).

Tablets of famous scholars An Bo and An Chuk (both descendants of An Hyang) are kept in Munseonggongmyo. Memorial service takes place on the first day of the third and ninth months of the lunar calendar every year.

Yeongjeonggak (영정각) Portrait Hall

Treasure No. 485 - Daeseongjiseong Munseonwang Jeonjwado Painting  

(대성지성문선왕전좌도 = 大成至聖文宣王殿坐圖) from the Yuan dynasty. 

 This painting was brought by An Hyang from China during Goryeo Dynasty (1303). 

National Treasure No 111

Portrait of "Hoeheon" (유현 = 儒賢) An Hyang (안향 = 安珦).

The original portraits are preserved in Sosu Museum.

National Treasure No.55 - Sosu Seowon (紹修書院 = 소수서원)

After being  appointed as the  new  magistrate of  Punggi  country,  Toegye Yi Hwang asked the king to grant the academy a royal charter.

King Myeongjong granted favorably by bestowing a plaque with the four characters '紹修書院' (Sosu Seowon) in his own handwriting along with a generous supply of books. 

The annals of the reigning king, Myeongjong (1545-67), give interesting clues to the relation of the academy to the state. It specified that the local magistrate was forbidden to interfere in the affairs of the academy or disturb the Confucian scholars. The academy was to be promoted as a place where scholars could gather without interference from the Crown. 

Thenceforth, it's known as Sosu Seowon . It's the first private Confucian academy in Korea financially supported by the king. 

Treasure No 1403 - Ganghakdang (강학당 / Lecturer hall)

Ganghakdang features some unique architectural, as it sits on the stone podium 

with four sided wooden verandah, rear rooms and Paljak roof. 

 The original Baekundong (白云洞) signboard written by Ju Sebung 

is hanging in front of Ganghakdang building.

Dormitories for students - Jirakjae (지락재) and Hakgujae (학구재) 

At Sosu Seowon, a manager was selected among the students. There were 3 to 28 students residing in Sosuseowon. Other Confucius scholars or sons of county chief were living in the vicinity. Sosu Seowon allowed students for boarding for two to three years.

Dormitories for teachers - Insinjae (인신재) and Jikbangjae (직방재) 

commoners outside the lecturer hall  attentively listen to the lecturing

(Seowon previously served only pupils of the aristocratic yangban class)

Yi Hwang was a sincere scholar exerting his energies in training students and pursuing studies. During his teaching in Sosuseowon, he even admitted a son of blacksmith as his students regardless of social status. Thus, Sosuseowon played a role of educating ordinary people. 

Library - Jangseogak (장서각)

Sosu Seowon not only provided education to the students. The above Jangseogak served as a library since it collected and stored a large volume of books.

Historical Museum 史料館.

Memorial and lecture scenes in Sosu Seowon.

Confucian book with pictures 공부자성적도 (孔夫子聖蹟圖) 

Others books displayed in Historical Museum

Iryeongdae Sundial (이영대) outside Yeongjeonggak Portrait Hall

Ok, shall we go to Sosu Museum now? 가자~~~!

Travel Information:

* Sosuseowon is connected to Seonbichon Village and Sosu Museum

* Admission fee is included for Seonbichon village, Sosuseowon and Sosu Museum

* Address:  경상북도 영주시 순흥면 소백로 2740