Bakyakjae is the hanging wooden plaque of the eastern house in Dosan Seowon Academy in Togye-ri, Dosan-myeon, Andong. The eastern house was used as a residence for upper class students whereas the western house on the opposite side, named ‘Hong-eui-jae’, was for lower class students. The term ‘Bakyak’ was derived from a passage in “Yong Ye” of the Analects of Confucius, that runs, “By extensively (Bak) studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint (Yak) of the rules of propriety, one man thus likewise not err from what is right. [君子博學於文 約之以禮 亦可以弗畔矣夫]” Dosan Seowon Academy was established to commemorate the learning and virtues of Yi Hwang (1501-1570, pen name Toegye) and Jo Mok (1524-1606, pen name Wolcheon) in 1574 (7th year of King Seonjo), and yet the current complex is composed of Dosan Seodang School founded by Yi Hwang and Dosan Seowon Academy established after his death.
The calligraphy of the hanging wooden plaque is written in the square style by an unknown hand. The brushwork is executed carefully to infuse each character with certain aspects of scholarly attitude. For example, the top part ‘博’ is rendered small as if to suggest a polite manner of a scholar, while the appearance of ‘約’ is as grave as the rules of propriety. The balance between sharpness and thickness gives ‘齋’ an air of an elegant scholar.