Eccentric scholar versed in medicine, astronomy, and geography; pen name Tojeong (土亭)
| Life | 1517 ~ 1578 |
| Era | 조선 |
| Clan | 한산 이씨 |
Yi Ji-ham's pen names were Tojeong (土亭) and Susan (水山). He studied under Hwadam Seo Gyeong-deok and was a broadly learned scholar versed not only in Neo-Confucianism but also in medicine, divination, astronomy, geography, and yin-yang studies. Having no interest in office, he was recommended in his later years and served as magistrate of Pocheon and of Asan.
During his time as magistrate of Asan, he practiced a people-loving administration, establishing a shelter for beggars (georincheong) to relieve wanderers and beggars. The widely known almanac of seasonal customs, the Tojeong bigyeol, is attributed to his name, but it is difficult to conclude it was his own work. His collected works, the Tojeong yugo, survive.
After his death he was posthumously granted the office of Minister of Personnel and received the posthumous title Mungang (文康). His elder brother Yi Ji-beon's son was the chief state councillor Yi San-hae, so Yi Ji-ham was his uncle.
The grave of Master Yi Ji-ham was designated South Chungcheong Cultural Property Material No. 320.