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Yi I

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Template:Short description Template:About Template:Redirect Template:Family name hatnote Template:Infobox Korean name/auto Yi I (Template:Korean;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1536–1584) was a Korean philosopher, writer, and Confucian scholar of the Joseon period.<ref>Daehwan, Noh. "The Eclectic Development of Neo-Confucianism and Statecraft from the 18th to the 19th Century," Template:Webarchive Korea Journal. Winter 2003.</ref> Yi is often referred to by his art name Yulgok ("Chestnut valley"). He was also a politician<ref name="yi i doosan">Template:In lang Yi I at Doosan Encyclopedia</ref> and was the academical successor of Jo Gwang-jo.

BiographyEdit

Yi was born in Gangneung, Gangwon Province in 1536 into the Template:Ill. His father was a Fourth State Councillor (Template:Korean) Yi Won-su, and his mother, Shin Saimdang, was an accomplished artist and calligrapher. He was the grandnephew of Yi Gi, prime minister from 1549 to 1551.Template:Citation needed

In his early years, he was a student of Baek In-geol, 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 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 studying Neo-Confucianism.<ref name="yi i aks">Template:In lang Yi I at The Academy of Korean Studies</ref><ref name="yi i ekc">Template:In lang [1] Template:Webarchive at Encyclopedia of Korean Culture</ref>

He married at 22, and visited Yi Hwang at Dosan the following year. He passed special exams with top honors with a winning thesis titled Template:Transliteration (Template:Korean), 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.<ref>Lee Eunjik(이은직) translated by Jeong Hongjun(정홍준), Great Joseon Masters Vol.2 (조선명인전 2) p35, Ilbit Publishing, Seoul, 2005. Template:ISBN</ref> He continuously received top honors on civil exams for a consecutive 9 times. His father died when he was 26.<ref name="yi i doosan" /> He served in various positions in government from the age of 29, and visited the Ming dynasty as Template:Transliteration (Template:Korean) 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.<ref name="Dongho Mundap">Template:In lang Dongho Mundap at Doosan Encyclopedia</ref>

Due to his vast experience in different offices over the years, Yi 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.<ref name="yi i doosan" />

He returned to office at 69 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 to remain in a neutral position in the conflicts. He left office in 1583 and died the following year.<ref name="yi i doosan" />

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 Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598).<ref>Choi Beomseo (최범서), Unofficial History of Joseon Vol. 2 p52, Garam Publishing, Seoul, 2003. Template:ISBN</ref>

TeachingsEdit

Yi 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.<ref>Lee Hyun-hee, Park Sung-soo, Yoon Nae-hyun, translated by The Academy of Korean Studies, New History of Korea p393, Jimoondang, Paju, 2005. Template:ISBN</ref> Unlike Yi Hwang, who suffered through tumultuous times and did not enjoy being in politics, Yi 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.<ref name="yi i aks"/><ref name="yi i ekc"/>

Yi 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. He died afterwards, before the start of the Imjin war.<ref name="yi i ekc"/>

Selected worksEdit

These are some of Yi's published writings:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

LegacyEdit

File:5000 won serieV obverse.jpeg
Yi on the currently circulating 5,000 won note

Yulgongno, a street in central Seoul, is named after him,<ref>Template:In lang Yulgongno at Doosan Encyclopedia</ref> and he is depicted on the South Korean 5,000 won note.<ref>Template:In lang Money bill designs at Naver dictionary</ref> The Taekwon-Do 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The "Yulgok Project", a modernization project for the South Korean military, is named after him as well.<ref>Cha Yeonggu (차영구), Theory and Actuality of National Defense Policies (국방정책의 이론과 실제) p86, Oruem, Seoul, 2002. Template:ISBN.</ref>

FamilyEdit

Popular cultureEdit

See alsoEdit

NotesEdit

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ReferencesEdit

External linksEdit

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