Scholar who never held office and taught younger students, known as the 'hidden-virtue gentleman of Honam'; pen name Geumgang
| Life | 1530 ~ 1593 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 행주 기씨 |
Gi Hyo-gan (奇孝諫, 1530-1593) was a mid-Joseon scholar of the Haengju Gi, courtesy name Baekgo, pen names Geumgang and Injae. His father was Gi Dae-yu, posthumously Minister of Revenue, and his younger brother was Gi Hyo-geun. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture describes him as a scholar who never took office and devoted himself to study and teaching, known as the hidden-virtue gentleman of Honam.
He studied under Kim In-hu and Yi Hang and also visited Gi Dae-seung. A poem Kim In-hu wrote for him, comparing Confucius to primal energy and Zhu Xi to truth, is regarded as a sign that the way was transmitted to him. He befriended fellow students Kim Cheon-il, Jeong Cheol and Byeon I-jung, and scholars such as O Hui-gil studied under him.
After Kim In-hu died he joined others in building a memorial shrine for his teacher. He was posthumously made Councillor of Revenue and is enshrined at Chusan Seowon in Jangseong, where his descendant Gi Jeong-ik is also honored. Wikipedia adds an Imjin War merit title, which could not be confirmed in the Encyclopedia entry. He died in 1593.
A poem from his teacher Kim In-hu is regarded as a token that the way was passed on to him.
He is enshrined at Chusan Seowon in Jangseong; the tomb location was not confirmed.
His descendant Gi Jeong-ik (Songam) is also enshrined in the same academy.