Dojondang is the hanging wooden plaque of a village school which was founded by Jeong Jongno (1738-1816, pen name Ipjae) in 1809 (9th year of King Sunjo) in Usan-ri, Oeseo-myeon, Sangju. The term ‘Dojon’ means to preserve the Confucian philosophy. Since Jeong Kyeongse (1563-1633, pen name Ubok) had built a cottage as a place for teaching and learning, his descendants had continued with the educational activities on the site for generations. Dojondang School was established just 200 meter away from Head Family Residence of Ubok by the cooperative efforts of Jeong Jongno and other local scholars in 1809. By naming the school as ‘Dojon’, Jeong expressed his resolve to follow his ancestors’ tradition, fostering younger scholars as well as pursuing his own self-discipline, which he put into practice by holding lectures every year.
The calligraphy letters are written by an unknown hand in the soft yet balanced semi-cursive style. Fat fleshy lines deliver a sense of richness until the harsh angular edges get in the way. Each character is vibrant with life and energy. The brushwork begins the upper half with an overly forceful motion, proceeds with added speed and then finishes the lower half in rather unhurried, stable strokes.