Yi I
Yi I (
이이;
李珥;
1536-
1584) was one of the two most prominent
Korean Confucian scholars of the
Joseon Dynasty, the other being his older contemporary,
Yi Hwang (Toegye). Yi I's mother was
Sin Saimdang, herself an accomplished artist and
calligraphist. Yi I is often referred to by his
pen name Yulgok (율곡; 栗谷 "
Chestnut valley"). His courtesy name was Sukheon (숙헌; 叔獻)
Yulgongno--a street in central Seoul--is named after him, and he is depicted on the South Korean 5,000-Won note.