Late-Goryeo/early-Joseon scholar-official; author of Iphak doseol and Yangchon-jip; pen name Yangchon
| Life | 1352 ~ 1409 |
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 안동 권씨 |
Gwon Geun (1352-1409) was a late-Goryeo/early-Joseon scholar-official, a native of Andong with the original given name Jin (晉), courtesy names Gawon and Sasuk, pen name Yangchon and posthumous title Munchung. He is described as a disciple of Yi Saek and Jeong Mong-ju.
After the founding of Joseon he became a Founding Meritorious Subject (Gaeguk Wonjong Gongsin), and in 1396 went to Ming China to explain the diplomatic-document dispute. Under King Taejong he rose to Daejehak (Senior Academician) and was enfeoffed as Gilchang-gun as a Jwamyeong merit subject. His works include the Iphak doseol and the Yangchon-jip.
Gwon Geun is said to have studied under Yi Saek and Jeong Mong-ju. In the late reign of King Gongmin he is described as having argued, with Jeong and others, for turning away from Yuan and aligning with Ming. After an envoy trip to Ming in 1389 he was exiled over a document issue under King Gongyang, and wrote the Iphak doseol during that exile.
After the founding of Joseon he wrote the epitaph for Jeongneung on King Taejo's order and became head of the Jungchuwon. When Ming protested over the content of Joseon's diplomatic documents (pyojeon) in 1396, he went as envoy to explain; his companions were detained but only Gwon returned. He was then made a Founding Meritorious Subject and enfeoffed as Hwasan-gun.
Under Kings Jeongjong and Taejong he served as Inspector-General, Chief Deliberator and Chansaeng-sa before becoming Daejehak. After Taejong's accession he was named a Jwamyeong merit subject and enfeoffed as Gilchang-gun, and in 1407 served as chief examiner of the civil-service re-examination that selected Byeon Gye-ryang among others.
His main works are the Iphak doseol and Yangchon-jip; the Dongguk saryak, Ogyeong cheongyeonnok, Eungje-si and Sangdae byeolgok are also attributed to him. The Iphak doseol, which explains Neo-Confucian concepts with diagrams, is regarded as an early illustrated study aid and is said to have influenced Yi Hwang later.
His father was Gwon Hui; his sons include Gwon Gyu and Gwon Je, and his grandson was Gwon Ram. Seo Geo-jeong is described as his maternal grandson. Chief State Councillor Gwon Cheol and Commander-in-Chief Gwon Yul are known as later descendants of his line.
The tombs of Gwon Geun, Gwon Je and Gwon Ram are described as lying around Bangchuk-ri, Saenggeuk-myeon, Eumseong, and the area is designated a North Chungcheong Provincial Monument (per the Gwon Ram entry). Confirm exact locations with the lineage.
His line is known for producing many distinguished descendants.