The Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy (도산서원, 陶山書院) was established in 1574 in what is present day Andong in memory of, and four years after the death of, Confucian scholar Yi Hwang by some of his disciples and other Confucian authorities. Yi Hwang had retired to the location in 1549 and begun construction on the facility, a private Confucian academy offering instruction in the classics and honouring the sages with regular memorial rites.
Like other Confucian academies, Dosan Seowon serves two purposes: education and commemoration. The site was well known in Korea as one of the leading academies and was home to the Toegye School of Thought for over 400 years. Although the educational function of the facility has long since ceased, the commemorative ceremonies have been and are still held twice a year.
The ancient academy was chartered in 1575 by King Seonjo and is featured on the back of the South Korean 1,000 won bill.
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