Icheon

Icheon lay in Gyeonggi, south-east of the Joseon capital. The end of Goryeo and the beginning of Joseon changed its administrative standing: it was raised to Namcheon County in 1390, became Icheon-hyeon in 1392, and received a hyeongam magistrate under the reorganisation of 1413. In 1444 it was elevated to a dohobu, governed by a busa.

The local hyanggyo, founded in 1401, made Confucian education and ritual visible in the town. Students previously taught at Anheung Temple were moved to the new school. State support supplied land, books and dependent labour, sustaining both instruction and sacrifices to the sages. In later Joseon the school's teaching role declined while commemorative rites retained importance. Administration and learning therefore gave Icheon institutions linking its local community with the dynasty's official culture.