智異山圈의 書院과 祠宇, 그 현황과 특징

Abstract

Seowon that showed both positive and negative functions in academic and political aspects in late Joseon period was an educational institution originally for the pursuit of studies and respect for wise men and ancestral rites based on Confucian ideology. However, Seowon did not only perform educational functions. It served as regional noble families' administrative unit of country villages politically as well as educationally and played roles in establishing regional foundation that consolidated political hegemony, by gathering their own sphere of influence under the politics of factionalism. In addition, Seowon functioned as the main base of regional academic activities by socially serving its roles as libraries and publishers. In this aspect, Seowon was one of the most important elements that should not be omitted in the understanding of regional culture as well as one of the crucial clues in the understanding of the culture of specific regions in Joseon Dynasty where Neo-Confucianism was predominant. It has been believed that if Seowon was a clue or a starting point to the understanding of regional culture, the following questions would be meaningful and valuable in the processes of understanding the culture of Jiri-san: when and which Seowon was established in Jiri-san areas, whom Seowon cultivated and what characteristics such Seowon had. This study was aimed to investigate the conditions of Seowon in Jiri-san areas and to summarize the characteristics drawn from such conditions. It focused on examining the conditions of Seowon in the entire Jiri-san areas and confirming its characteristics, rather than having an in-depth materials and information on individual Seowon in Jiri-san areas or Seowons in any specifically designated areas