Yi I

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This article is about the 16th century Korean scholar. For the DDG 992 Yulgok Yi I ship, see ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992).
"I I" redirects here. For other uses, see II (disambiguation).
In this Korean name, the family name is Yi.
Yi I
Sitting Yi I.jpg
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI I
McCune–ReischauerYi I
Pen name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationYulgok
McCune–ReischauerYulkok
Courtesy name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSukheon
McCune–ReischauerSukhŏn

Yi I (Korean: 이이[1][2]; Hanja: 李珥; December 26, 1536 – February 27, 1584) was a Korean philosopher and writer. He was one of the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, the other being his older contemporary, Yi Hwang (Toegye).[3] Yi I is often referred to by his pen name Yulgok ("Chestnut valley"). He is not only known as a scholar but also as a revered politician and reformer.[4] He was academical successor of Jo Gwang-jo.

Life[]

Master Yi I was born in Gangneung, Gangwon Province in 1537. His father was a Fourth State Councillor (jwachanseong 좌찬성) and his mother, Shin Saimdang, the accomplished artist and calligrapher. He was the grand nephew of Yi Gi, prime minister 1549 to 1551.[citation needed] In his early years he was a student of , the successor of Jo Gwang-jo. It is said that by the age of seven he had finished his lessons in the Confucian classics, and passed the Civil Service literary examination at the age of 13. Yi I secluded himself in Kumgang-san following his mother's death when he was 16 and stayed for 3 years, studying Buddhism. He left the mountains at 20 and devoted himself to the study of Confucianism.[5][6]

He married at 22 and a half, and went to visit Yi Hwang at Dosan the following year. He passed special exams with top honors with a winning thesis titled Cheondochaek (hangul:천도책, hanja: 天道策, "Book on the Way of Heaven"), which was widely regarded as a literary masterpiece, displaying his knowledge of history and the Confucian philosophy of politics, and also reflecting his profound knowledge of Taoism.[7] He continuously received top honors on civil exams for a consecutive 9 times. His father died when he was 26.[4] He served in various positions in government from the age of 29, and visited the Ming Dynasty as seojanggwan (hangul: 서장관, hanja: 書狀官, document officer) in 1568. He also participated in the writing of the Myeongjong Annals and at 34, authored Dongho Mundap, an eleven-article political memorial devoted to clarifying his conviction that a righteous government could be achieved.[8]

Due to his vast experience in different offices over the years, Yi I was able to garner a wide vision of politics and with the deep trust of the king, became one of the central figures of politics by the time he was 40. His many documents and theses were presented to the royal court but when political conflicts escalated in 1576, his efforts proved fruitless and he returned home. Following his return, he devoted his time to studies and education of his disciples and authored several books.[4]

He returned to office at 45 and while holding various minister positions, produced many writings which recorded crucial political events and showed his efforts to ease the political conflicts that were rampant at that time. However, King Seonjo was noncommittal in his attitude and it became difficult for Yi I to remain in a neutral position in the conflicts. He left office in 1583 and died the following year.[4]

According to legend, he had a pavilion built near the ford of the Imjin River in his lifetime and instructed his heirs to set it ablaze when the king had to flee northward from Seoul, to provide a guiding beacon. This took place during Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea at the Imjin war.[9]

Teachings[]

Master Yi I was not only known as a philosopher but also as a social reformer. He did not completely agree with the dualistic Neo-Confucianism teachings followed by Yi Hwang. His school of Neo-Confucianism placed emphasis on the more concrete, material elements; rather than inner spiritual perception, this practical and pragmatic approach valued external experience and learning.[10] Unlike Yi Hwang, who suffered through tumultuous times and did not enjoy being in politics, Yi I was an active official who thought it important to implement Confucian values and principles to government administration. He emphasized sage learning and self-cultivation as the base of proper administration.[5][6]

Yi I is also well known for his foresight about national security. He proposed to draft and reinforce the army against a possible Japanese attack. His proposal was rejected by the central government, his worry was found to be well-founded soon after his death, during the Imjin war.[6]

Selected works[]

Yi I's published writings encompass 193 works in 276 publications in 6 languages and 2,236 library holdings.[11]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by with reliable sources.
  • Questions and Answers at East Lake (hangul:동호문답, hanja:東湖問答) - Eleven articles about political reform.[8]
  • Memorial in Ten Thousand Words (hangul: 만언봉사, hanja: 萬言封事) - Suggestions about Confucian learning, self-cultivation, and application to government administration.[12]
  • The Essentials of the Studies of the Sages (hangul: 성학집요, hanja: 聖學輯要) - Fundamentals of Confucian ethics, self-cultivation and statecraft.[13]
  • The Secret of Expelling Ignorance (hangul: 격몽요결, hanja: 擊蒙要訣) - Systematic guide of learning.[14]
  • Daily Records of Lectures before the Throne (hangul: 경연일기, hanja: 經筵日記) - Record of political events and happenings.[15]
  • The Complete Works of Yulgok (hangul: 율곡전서, hanja: 栗谷全書) was compiled after his death on the basis of the writings he bequeathed.[16]

Legacy[]

Yi I on the currently circulating 5,000 won note

Yulgongno, a street in central Seoul, is named after him,[17] and he is depicted on the South Korean 5,000 won note.[18] The Taekwondo pattern Yul-Gok was also named in his honor. This is the pattern required to advance from 5th Kup Green Belt with Blue Tag to 4th Kup Blue Belt. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 38th degree latitude.[19] The "Yulgok Project", a modernization project for the South Korean military, is named after him as well.[20]

Family[]

  • Father: Yi Won-su (1501 - 1561) (이원수)
    • Grandfather: Yi-Cheon (이천)
  • Mother: Sin Saimdang (1504 - 1551) (신사임당)
    • Grandfather: Sin Myeong-hwa (신명화)

Wives and their issue(s):

  1. Lady, of the Goksan No clan (? - 1592) (부인 곡산 노씨)[21]
    1. Lady Yi (부인 이씨) – daughter.
  2. Lady Gim (부인 김씨)
  3. Lady Yi (부인 이씨)

Popular culture[]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Originally written as 니이(Ni Yi)
  2. ^ "Joya hoetong". Jangseogak Royal Archives. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  3. ^ Daehwan, Noh. "The Eclectic Development of Neo-Confucianism and Statecraft from the 18th to the 19th Century," Archived June 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Korea Journal. Winter 2003.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d (in Korean) Yi I at Doosan Encyclopedia
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b (in Korean) Yi I at The Academy of Korean Studies
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c (in Korean) [1] Archived 2011-06-10 at the Wayback Machine at Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
  7. ^ Lee Eunjik(이은직) translated by Jeong Hongjun(정홍준), Great Joseon Masters Vol.2 (조선명인전 2) p35, Ilbit Publishing, Seoul, 2005. ISBN 89-5645-087-0
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b (in Korean) Dongho Mundap at Doosan Encyclopedia
  9. ^ Choi Beomseo (최범서), Unofficial History of Joseon Vol. 2 p52, Garam Publishing, Seoul, 2003. ISBN 89-8435-143-1
  10. ^ Lee Hyun-hee, Park Sung-soo, Yoon Nae-hyun, translated by The Academy of Korean Studies, New History of Korea p393, Jimoondang, Paju, 2005. ISBN 89-88095-85-5
  11. ^ "WorldCat Identities". www.oclc.org.
  12. ^ (in Korean) Maneon Bongsa at Doosan Encyclopedia
  13. ^ (in Korean) Seonhak Jibyo at Doosan Encyclopedia
  14. ^ (in Korean) Gyeokmong Yogyel at Doosan Encyclopedia
  15. ^ (in Korean) Gyeongyeon Ilgi at Doosan Encyclopedia
  16. ^ (in Korean) Yulgok Jeonseo at Doosan Encyclopedia
  17. ^ (in Korean) Yulgongno at Doosan Encyclopedia
  18. ^ (in Korean) Money bill designs at Naver dictionary
  19. ^ "Yulgok Taekwondo pattern". Archived from the original on 2010-06-02.
  20. ^ Cha Yeonggu (차영구), Theory and Actuality of National Defense Policies (국방정책의 이론과 실제) p86, Oruem, Seoul, 2002. ISBN 89-7778-156-6.
  21. ^ Daughter of No Gyeong-rin (노경린).

References[]

  • Chung, Edward Y. J. (1995). The Korean Neo-Confucianism of Yi Tʻoegye and Yi Yulgok: a Reappraisal of the 'Four-Seven Thesis' and its Practical Implications for Self-Cultivation. Albany: State University of New York Press. ISBN 9780791422755; ISBN 9780791422762; OCLC 30594574
  • Daehwan, Noh. "The Eclectic Development of Neo-Confucianism and Statecraft from the 18th to the 19th Century," Korea Journal. Winter 2003.
  • Haboush, JaHyun Kim and Martina Deuchler. (1999). Culture and the State in Late Chosŏn Korea. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674179820; OCLC 40926015
  • Lee, Peter H. (1993). Sourcebook of Korean Civilization, Vol. 1. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231079129; ISBN 9780231079143; ISBN 9780231104449; OCLC 26353271

External links[]

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