The purpose of this project is to research academic cliques and the literature of scholars of Chinese classics in the Chungnam area from 1860 to the present. Most of them were Confucian scholars who kept the values and cultures of the past even after ...
The purpose of this project is to research academic cliques and the literature of scholars of Chinese classics in the Chungnam area from 1860 to the present. Most of them were Confucian scholars who kept the values and cultures of the past even after the advent of modern times. They kept traditions mainly through education and ceremony. Their lifestyles and noble spirits exist in their writings. Collections of their works were published by their followers or descendants. The forms and styles of their collections were the same as those of the late Choseon Period.
The works are collected and given bibliographical explanations in four areas: i) Daejeon and Geumsan ii) Gongju, Nonsan, Buyeo, and Seocheon iii) Cheonan, Asan, Yeongi, and Cheongyang iv) Hongseong, Seosan, Dangjin, and Boryeong. As a result, 243 kinds of literature which are hardly known to the world were discovered. The Daejeon area encompassing Hoedeok, a main settlement for Giho Confucian scholars, was identified as an important place to maintain the spirit of those collections. First, we interpreted the works collected. We classified and characterized the cliques based on the results. We presented scholarly papers on workshops and conferences to verify the results.
Confucian scholars we studied kept scholastic records of the Nakron, Horon, Jungdo, and Soron Schools. Choi Ikhyeon, Song Byeongseon, and Jeon Woo formed important academic cliques in this area. However, we try to pay more attention to the following generation, not known to the world. Five important people were researched thoroughly. First, Song Byeonghwa followed Wuam School as Gahak (study handed down from generation to generation in a family). Second, Seong Giwun followed Ganjae's academic clique. Third, Yi Cheolyeong followed Yi Yutae. Fourth, Kim Bokhan followed the Horon School. Fifth, Yi Namgyu followed the academic clique of the Namin School. Even though their academic lineages were different, they had similarities in the way they tried to overcome the crisis of the fall of the nation through traditional lifestyles and writings.
Bibliographical explanations of the collections and the families of Confucian scholars were published in separate titles. Bibliographical explanations of the collections were entitled Bibliographical Explanations of Confucian scholars in Modern Daejeon/Chungnam. With 676 pages, this book showed literal information and meaning and explained the contents of the collections. In addition, Confucian scholar families in Modern Daejeon/Chungnam, a biographical dictionary containing 193 people was published to further understanding of the collections. Both can be valued as basic materials to enhance the understanding of traditional studies and ideas in modern times. They also can be the source to understanding the true value of traditional Korean Humanities' spirit in modern times.