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The ''Shuyuan'' (), usually known in English as Academies of Classical Learning or simply Academies, were a type of school in
Imperial China. Unlike national academies 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 dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdom ...
. 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 (960–1126), 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
Emperor Taizong of Song
Zhao Jiong (20 November 939 – 8 May 997), known as Zhao Guangyi from 960 to 977 and Zhao Kuangyi before 960, also known by his temple name Taizong after his death, was the second emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 976 to h ...
*1009:
Yingtianfu Academy, bestowed by the
Emperor Zhenzong
Emperor Zhenzong of Song (23 December 968 – 23 March 1022), personal name Zhao Heng, was the third emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 997 to his death in 1022. His personal name was originally Zhao Dechang, but was change ...
*1015:
Yuelu Academy
The Yuelu Academy (also as known as the ''Yuelu Academy of Classical Learning'', ) is on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, Hunan province, on the west bank of the Xiang River. As one of the four most prestigious academies over the las ...
, bestowed by Emperor Zhenzong
*1035:
Shigu Academy, bestowed by
Emperor Renzong of Song
Besides signboards, emperors also bestowed books. In 977, the Taizong Emperor bestowed on the
White Deer Grotto Academy a copy of the Nine
Chinese classics
Chinese classic texts or canonical texts () or simply dianji (典籍) refers to the Chinese texts which originated before the imperial unification by the Qin dynasty in 221 BC, particularly the "Four Books and Five Classics" of the Neo-Confuci ...
printed by the
Guozijian
The Guozijian,Yuan, 194. sometimes translated as the Imperial College, Imperial Academy, Imperial University, National Academy, or National University, was the national central institution of higher learning in Chinese dynasties after the Su ...
. 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 twelfth century. The White Deer Grotto Academy, which had fallen into ruin, was rebuilt by the prominent neo-Confucianist
Zhu Xi
Zhu Xi (; ; October 18, 1130 – April 23, 1200), formerly romanized Chu Hsi, was a Chinese calligrapher, historian, philosopher, poet, and politician during the Song dynasty. Zhu was influential in the development of Neo-Confucianism. He con ...
in 1179–80 during the
Southern Song (1127–1279) and reopened in 1180. It became an important centre of Confucian thought during eight centuries.
Zhu Xi
Zhu Xi (; ; October 18, 1130 – April 23, 1200), formerly romanized Chu Hsi, was a Chinese calligrapher, historian, philosopher, poet, and politician during the Song dynasty. Zhu was influential in the development of Neo-Confucianism. He con ...
himself taught here during the Southern Song as did
Wang Yangming
Wang Shouren (, 26 October 1472 – 9 January 1529), courtesy name Bo'an (), art name Yangmingzi (), usually referred to as Wang Yangming (), was a Chinese calligrapher, general, philosopher, politician, and writer during the Ming dynasty ...
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 dynasty
The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division. It was established by Kublai, the fift ...
(1271–1368) and all academies were placed under government control to become preparatory schools for the
imperial examination
The imperial examination (; lit. "subject recommendation") refers to a civil-service examination system in Imperial China, administered for the purpose of selecting candidates for the state bureaucracy. The concept of choosing bureaucrats by ...
s. However, the system was revived under the
Ming
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peop ...
(1368–1644) and the
Qing (1644–1911).
In the Ming dynasty, academies devoted to discussing political issues appeared, such as the
Donglin Academy
The Donglin Academy (, Wade–Giles ''Tung-lin''), also known as the Guishan Academy (龜山書院 ''Guīshān Shūyuàn''), was a former Chinese educational institution in Wuxi, China. It was originally built in 1111 during the Northern Song dyna ...
, often resulting in political repression. According to one study, 40% of the 1239 known Ming academies were built during the
Jiajing era (1522–1566).
[Education in Traditional China: A History, Thomas H. C. Lee, p. 100. .] During the Qing, 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
The Hundred Days' Reform or Wuxu Reform () was a failed 103-day national, cultural, political, and educational reform movement that occurred from 11 June to 22 September 1898 during the late Qing dynasty. It was undertaken by the young Guangxu E ...
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 () were the most common educational institutions 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 ...
.
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, the
Yuelu Academy
The Yuelu Academy (also as known as the ''Yuelu Academy of Classical Learning'', ) is on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, Hunan province, on the west bank of the Xiang River. As one of the four most prestigious academies over the las ...
(later become
Hunan University
Hunan University (HNU; ; pinyin: Húnán Dàxué''),'' colloquially abbreviated as HúDà (湖大), is a national key public research university located in Changsha, Hunan, and a Double First Class University as well as a member of Project 211 ...
), appears in all lists. Each school went up or down the list in different periods.
White Deer Grotto Academy had long been important. As for the impact on the politics of China,
Donglin Academy
The Donglin Academy (, Wade–Giles ''Tung-lin''), also known as the Guishan Academy (龜山書院 ''Guīshān Shūyuàn''), was a former Chinese educational institution in Wuxi, China. It was originally built in 1111 during the Northern Song dyna ...
in the
Ming Dynasty
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peo ...
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 (in modern
Dengfeng
Dengfeng (; postal: Tengfeng) is a county-level city of Henan Province, South Central China, it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Zhengzhou.
Dengfeng has an area of and a population of 630,000. It occupies the south ...
) - founded in 1035
*Yingtianfu Academy (in modern
Shangqiu
Shangqiu (), alternately romanized as Shangkiu, is a city in eastern Henan province, Central China. It borders Kaifeng to the northwest, Zhoukou to the southwest, and the provinces of Shandong and Anhui to the northeast and southeast respectivel ...
) - founded in 1009
*
Yuelu Academy
The Yuelu Academy (also as known as the ''Yuelu Academy of Classical Learning'', ) is on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, Hunan province, on the west bank of the Xiang River. As one of the four most prestigious academies over the las ...
(in modern
Changsha
Changsha (; ; ; Changshanese pronunciation: (), Standard Chinese, Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is the Capital city, capital and the largest city of Hunan Province of China. Changsha is the 17th most populous city in China with a popul ...
) - founded in 976
*
White Deer Grotto Academy (in modern
Jiujiang
Jiujiang (), formerly transliterated Kiukiang or Kew Keang, is a prefecture-level city located on the southern shores of the Yangtze River in northwest Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China. It is the second-largest prefecture-level city ...
) - founded in 940
Sometimes the Shigu Academy is substituted for the Songyang Academy.
The Four Great Academies of the Early Song
*Shigu Academy (in modern
Hengyang
Hengyang (; ) is the second largest city of Hunan Province, China. It straddles the Xiang River about south of the provincial capital of Changsha. As of the 2020 Chinese census, Its total population was 6,645,243 inhabitants, whom 1,290,715 l ...
) - founded in 810
*Jinshan Academy (in modern
Jurong, Jiangsu) - founded in 1024
*
Yuelu Academy
The Yuelu Academy (also as known as the ''Yuelu Academy of Classical Learning'', ) is on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, Hunan province, on the west bank of the Xiang River. As one of the four most prestigious academies over the las ...
*
Culai Academy
Culai Academy or Culai Academy of Classical Learning (徂徕书院 ''cúlái shūyuàn'') was built by the Northern Song scholar Shi Jie (scholar), Shi Jie during the time of his mourning (1038–40). Beside the academy was the "Duyi-tang" (读易 ...
(in modern
Tai'an
Tai'an () is a prefecture-level city in Western Shandong Province of the People's Republic of China. Centered on Mount Tai, the city borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the north, Zibo to the east, Linyi to the southeast, Liaocheng to ...
) - founded in 1038
The Four Great Academies of the Southern Song
*Lize Academy
*Xiangshan Academy
*Yuelu Academy
*
White Deer Grotto Academy
The Six Great Academies
*Songyang Academy
*Yingtianfu Academy
*Yuelu Academy
*White Deer Grotto Academy
*Shigu Academy
*Maoshan Academy (renamed Jinshan 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
See also
*
Donglin Academy
The Donglin Academy (, Wade–Giles ''Tung-lin''), also known as the Guishan Academy (龜山書院 ''Guīshān Shūyuàn''), was a former Chinese educational institution in Wuxi, China. It was originally built in 1111 during the Northern Song dyna ...
*
Dongpo Academy The Dongpo Academy or Dongpo Shuyuan (), was an academy located in Hainan, China. It was originally built in 1098 in memory of the Song dynasty literary figure, Su Dongpo, who was exiled here.
The ''Zaijiutang'' (载酒堂 Zài jiǔ táng) is the ...
*
Seowon
Seowon () were the most common educational institutions 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 ...
, the Korean equivalent of Shuyuan
References
{{commons category, Shuyuan
*
Confucian education
Chinese philosophy
History of Imperial China
History of education in China