Academies (Shuyuan)
Encyclopedia
The Shūyuàn usually known in English as Academies or Academies of Classical Learning, were a type of school in ancient China
. Unlike national academy and district schools, shuyuan were usually private establishments built away from cities or towns, providing a quiet environment where scholars could engage in studies and contemplation without restrictions and worldly distractions.
. They were places where scholars could teach and study the classics, and where books collected from around the country could be preserved. By the late Tang dynasty, private academies had appeared all over China.
During the Northern Song (960-1127), many academies were established with government encouragement. Each academy had its own teaching and administrative structure and was economically independent.
The bestowal of a calligraphic signboard by the Emperor was an extremely important symbol of an academy's status during the Northern Song period. The following academies received this honour:
Besides signboards, emperors also bestowed books. In 977, the Taizong Emperor bestowed on the White Deer Grotto Academy
a copy of the Nine Confucian Classics printed by the Guozijian
. The Yuelu Academy, the Songyang Academy and other academies also received books from the Emperor on a number of occasions.
However, academies had begun to decline by the 12th century. The White Deer Grotto Academy, which had fallen into ruin, was rebuilt by the prominent neo-Confucianist Zhu Xi
in 1179-80 during the Southern Song dynasty and reopened in 1180. It became an important centre of Confucian thought during eight centuries. Zhu Xi himself taught here during the Southern Song as did Wang Yangming
during the Ming. As a result of Zhu Xi's efforts, the shuyuan became a permanent feature of Chinese education, taking up major responsibilities of local education.
The system of academies was dismantled under the Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty (1271-1368) and all academies were placed under government control to became preparatory schools for the Imperial Examination
s. However, the system was revived under the Ming
(1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911).
In the Ming dynasty, academies devoted to discussing political issues appeared, such as the Donglin Academy
, often resulting in political repression. According to one study, 40% of the 1239 known Ming academies were built during the Jiajing era
(1522-1566). During the Qing dynasty, thousands of academies were created for the purpose of preparing students for the Imperial Examination, although there were still some that functioned as centres of study and research.
The academies were finally abolished under the Hundred Days' Reform
in 1898 at the end of the Qing dynasty.
There were more than 7,000 academies recorded. In the late Qing dynasty, some became universities, middle schools, public libraries and museums.
In Korea, which also adopted Confucianism, the shuyuan were known as Seowon
.
, appears in all lists. Each school went up or down the list in different periods. White Deer Grotto Academy
had long been an important academy. As for the impact on the politics of China, Donglin Academy
in the Ming Dynasty
is especially notable.
Sometimes the Shigu Academy is substituted for the Songyang Academy.
(An alternative list of "Six Great Academies of the Northern Song" contains the same academies in a different order).
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Unlike national academy and district schools, shuyuan were usually private establishments built away from cities or towns, providing a quiet environment where scholars could engage in studies and contemplation without restrictions and worldly distractions.
History
The shuyuan originated in 725 during the Tang dynastyTang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
. They were places where scholars could teach and study the classics, and where books collected from around the country could be preserved. By the late Tang dynasty, private academies had appeared all over China.
During the Northern Song (960-1127), many academies were established with government encouragement. Each academy had its own teaching and administrative structure and was economically independent.
The bestowal of a calligraphic signboard by the Emperor was an extremely important symbol of an academy's status during the Northern Song period. The following academies received this honour:
- 997: Taishi Academy (Songyang Academy), bestowed by the TaizongTaizongTaizong may refer to:*Emperor Taizong of Tang , Chinese emperor of the Tang Dynasty*Emperor Daizong of Tang , Chinese emperor of the Tang Dynasty...
emperor - 1009: Yingtianfu Academy, bestowed by the Zhenzong emperor
- 1015: Yuelu AcademyYuelu AcademyThe Yuelu Academy is located on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, China, on the west bank of the Xiang River....
, bestowed by the Zhenzong emperor - 1035: Shigu Academy, bestowed by the Renzong emperor
Besides signboards, emperors also bestowed books. In 977, the Taizong Emperor bestowed on the White Deer Grotto Academy
White Deer Grotto Academy
The White Deer Grotto Academy was located at the foot of Wulou Peak in Lushan, now in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province. It was one of the Four Great Academies of China.- History :...
a copy of the Nine Confucian Classics printed by the Guozijian
Guozijian
The Guozijian , or Kuo Tzu Chien, the School of the Sons of State, sometimes called the Imperial Academy, Imperial College, Imperial Central School, was the national central institute of learning in Chinese dynasties after the Sui. It was the highest institute of learning in China's traditional...
. The Yuelu Academy, the Songyang Academy and other academies also received books from the Emperor on a number of occasions.
However, academies had begun to decline by the 12th century. The White Deer Grotto Academy, which had fallen into ruin, was rebuilt by the prominent neo-Confucianist Zhu Xi
Zhu Xi
Zhū Xī or Chu Hsi was a Song Dynasty Confucian scholar who became the leading figure of the School of Principle and the most influential rationalist Neo-Confucian in China...
in 1179-80 during the Southern Song dynasty and reopened in 1180. It became an important centre of Confucian thought during eight centuries. Zhu Xi himself taught here during the Southern Song as did Wang Yangming
Wang Yangming
Wang Yangming was a Ming Chinese idealist Neo-Confucian philosopher, official, educationist, calligraphist and general. After Zhu Xi, he is commonly regarded as the most important Neo-Confucian thinker, with interpretations of Confucianism that denied the rationalist dualism of the orthodox...
during the Ming. As a result of Zhu Xi's efforts, the shuyuan became a permanent feature of Chinese education, taking up major responsibilities of local education.
The system of academies was dismantled under the Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty (1271-1368) and all academies were placed under government control to became preparatory schools for the Imperial Examination
Imperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
s. However, the system was revived under the Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
(1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911).
In the Ming dynasty, academies devoted to discussing political issues appeared, such as the Donglin Academy
Donglin Academy
The Donglin Academy , also known as the Guishan Academy , was originally built in AD 1111 during the Northern Song dynasty at present-day Wuxi in China...
, often resulting in political repression. According to one study, 40% of the 1239 known Ming academies were built during the Jiajing era
Jiajing Emperor
The Jiajing Emperor was the 11th Ming Dynasty Emperor of China who ruled from 1521 to 1567. Born Zhu Houcong, he was the former Zhengde Emperor's cousin...
(1522-1566). During the Qing dynasty, thousands of academies were created for the purpose of preparing students for the Imperial Examination, although there were still some that functioned as centres of study and research.
The academies were finally abolished under the Hundred Days' Reform
Hundred Days' Reform
The Hundred Days' Reform was a failed 104-day national cultural, political and educational reform movement from 11 June to 21 September 1898 in late Qing Dynasty China. It was undertaken by the young Guangxu Emperor and his reform-minded supporters...
in 1898 at the end of the Qing dynasty.
There were more than 7,000 academies recorded. In the late Qing dynasty, some became universities, middle schools, public libraries and museums.
In Korea, which also adopted Confucianism, the shuyuan were known as Seowon
Seowon
Seowon were the most common educational institution of Korea during the mid- to late Joseon Dynasty. They were private institutions, and combined the functions of a Confucian shrine and a preparatory school. In educational terms, the seowon were primarily occupied with preparing students for the...
.
Shuyuan as a modern term
In the late Qing dynasty, schools teaching Western science and technology were established. Many such schools were called Shuyuan in Chinese. Despite the common name, these shuyuan are quite modern in concept and are quite different from traditional academies of classical learning.Notable Academies
In discussing the shuyuan, it is common to speak of the "Four Great Academies" (四大书院 sì-dà shū-yuàn) of ancient China. Usually the "Four Great Academies" refers to the Four Great Academies of the Northern Song. However, sources give a number of different lists, sometimes expanded to Six or Eight Great Academies. Only one academy, the Yuelu AcademyYuelu Academy
The Yuelu Academy is located on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, China, on the west bank of the Xiang River....
, appears in all lists. Each school went up or down the list in different periods. White Deer Grotto Academy
White Deer Grotto Academy
The White Deer Grotto Academy was located at the foot of Wulou Peak in Lushan, now in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province. It was one of the Four Great Academies of China.- History :...
had long been an important academy. As for the impact on the politics of China, Donglin Academy
Donglin Academy
The Donglin Academy , also known as the Guishan Academy , was originally built in AD 1111 during the Northern Song dynasty at present-day Wuxi in China...
in the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
is especially notable.
The Four Great Academies
Also known as the Four Great Academies of the Northern Song or the Four Northern Song Academies.- Songyang Academy
- Yingtianfu Academy
- Yuelu AcademyYuelu AcademyThe Yuelu Academy is located on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, China, on the west bank of the Xiang River....
- White Deer Grotto AcademyWhite Deer Grotto AcademyThe White Deer Grotto Academy was located at the foot of Wulou Peak in Lushan, now in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province. It was one of the Four Great Academies of China.- History :...
Sometimes the Shigu Academy is substituted for the Songyang Academy.
The Four Great Academies of the Early Song
- Shigu Academy
- Jinshan Academy
- Yuelu AcademyYuelu AcademyThe Yuelu Academy is located on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, China, on the west bank of the Xiang River....
- Culai AcademyCulai AcademyCulai Academy or Culai Academy of Classical Learning was built by the Northern Song scholar Shi Jie during the time of his mourning...
The Four Great Academies of the Southern Song
- Lize Academy
- Xiangshan Academy
- Yuelu Academy
- White Deer Grotto AcademyWhite Deer Grotto AcademyThe White Deer Grotto Academy was located at the foot of Wulou Peak in Lushan, now in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province. It was one of the Four Great Academies of China.- History :...
The Six Great Academies
- Songyang Academy
- Yingtianfu Academy
- Yuelu Academy
- White Deer Grotto Academy
- Shigu Academy
- Maoshan Academy
(An alternative list of "Six Great Academies of the Northern Song" contains the same academies in a different order).
The Eight Great Academies of the Northern Song
- Shigu Academy
- Yingtianfu Academy
- Yuelu Academy
- White Deer Grotto Academy
- Songyang Academy
- Maoshan Academy
- Longmen Academy
- Culai Academy