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Vol. 3 No. 2 Vol. Summer 2010 Summer 2010 Vol. 3 No. 2 ISSN 2005-0151 Quarterly Magazine of the Cultural Heritage Administration Summer 2010 Vol. 3 No. 2 Cover Red symbolizes summer. The symbolism originates from the traditional “five direc- tional colors” based on the ancient Chinese thought of wuxing, or ohaeng in Korean. The cover design features “Westling” by genre painter Kim Hong-do (1745-after 1816), who captured the essence and spirit of Dano festivities. For more stories about Dano, see p.39. KOREAN HERITAGE is also available on the website. ( http://english.cha.go.kr ) 3 | 4 ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTE KOREAN FOLK CUSTOMS Korean Heritage Greets Its Third Summer Refreshing Midsummer Respite After a long, severe winter and an unusually chilly and whimsical spring, summer is back It is the time for craving fresh winds blowing from the sea with its fresh green foliage brightening the landscape. Humbly watching the wondrous and the cool streams gurgling along shaded valleys. People works of nature blessing this land with the four distinct seasons, we are reminded of a cer- nowadays flock to beaches and mountains to escape the tain power that links us to our forebears, who also lived amid the splendid beauty of each scorching heat blanketing the cities. But how did ancient season here through tens of thousands of years. This also makes us recall our innate ob- Koreans beat the heat in the summer? ligation to securely preserve and cultivate our long history and brilliant cultural heritage. Yudu has been the midsummer holiday for Koreans over the Korean Heritage meets its third summer. Since its inauguration two years ago, this quar- centuries. On the fifteenth of the sixth lunar month, Koreans for ages washed their bodies in terly publication has played a significant role in introducing vivid stories and pictures a clean stream flowing to the east and offered food made from the year’s first harvests to an- of Korea’s cultural heritage among global readers to increase their understanding of the cestral spirits and gods of land and sea, wishing a summer of good health and bountiful crops. traditions and culture that form the roots of Korea and Korean people. This edition, a con- Hence it was among the major holidays falling on the fifteenth, or the full moon days, along tinuum of our effort, highlights Jongmyo, the royal ancestral shrine of Korea’s last mon- with daeboreum (the first full moon of the year), baekjung (the Buddhist day for all souls in archy, and Exemplar of Korean Medicine (Dongeui Bogam), a 17th century compendium the seventh month) and chuseok (the harvest festival in the eighth month). of medical science, among other outstanding cultural legacies of Korea. The moon was a symbol of abundance and fertility in ancient agrarian societies, and among As the nation marks the centenary of Korea-Japan annexation and the 60th anniversary the colors representing the five cardinal directions, east stood for blue and blissful energy that of the outbreak of the Korean War this year, this is the time for us to reflect on our past chased away evil spirits and invoked good fortune. Therefore, by scrubbing head to toe in a and redefine its meaning for a foundation of new values for the future. In this context, the stream flowing toward the east (dongnyusu dumogyok) on the full moon day in the middle Cultural Heritage Administration is putting the final touches on a two-decade-long res- of the year, ancient Koreans believed they could fend off bad fortune and refresh their body toration project of Gyeongbok Palace, which is slated for completion later this year. The and mind. reconstruction of Sungnyemun, the South Gate of pre-modern Seoul, will also begin this year, following research and planning since it was destroyed in a fire in February 2008. Yudu is also called sudu, meaning “mul maji” or “taking the waters.” It suggests the time- worn customs have their origins in the folk hydra therapy, dating back to the Silla period (57 Maintaining, promoting and utilizing our history and heritage is the core task of the Cul- B.C.–A.D. 935) or even earlier. tural Heritage Administration in fulfilling its mission as a conduit to the past, present and future. The Administration will spare no effort to explore and publicize more diverse On the morning of this day, families observed simple rites by offering fresh seasonal foods aspects of Korea’s cultural and natural assets throughout the country and to achieve their to their ancestors’ spirits. The royal family conducted formal rites at Jongmyo, the royal sustainable preservation and management. ancestral shrine, and noble families at private family shrines. In farming and fishing villages, the villagers conducted rites to seek benevolence from agrarian gods and the dragon king of the sea. It was also a day for good food and joyful games. After the ritual offerings everyone flocked Yi, Kun Moo to the mountains or streams to enjoy a sweet respite from their busy farming season. The final Administrator rounds of rice transplanting and more weeding awaited them. Cultural Heritage Administration Republic of Korea 5 | 6 Summer 2010 Vol. 3 No. 2 CONTENTS 07 World Heritage in Korea 29 Photo Gallery Solemn Depth That Transcends Life and Death So Geumgang : “Little Diamond” in Mount Odae Royal Ancestral Shrine of Joseon Dynasty 13 Guardians of Cultural Heritage 37 Foreigner’s View Dr. Park’s Discovery Stuns the World Dano Festivities to Secure Good Fortune Librarian Finds Lost Print Treasure 19 Architectural Heritage 41 Documentary Heritage Symbolism of Numbers in Korean Architecture Cyclopedia of Eastern Medical Science Exemplar of Korean Medicine (Dongeui Bogam) 25 Science for Cultural Heritage 45 Intangible Heritage Summer Fabric Woven from Grass The Flavors and Styles of Korea The Prized Fine Ramie of Hansan Royal Cuisine of Joseon Dynasty 7 | 8 World Heritage in Korea places that would manifest the uncontested legitimacy and authority of the dynasty en- dowed from the spirits of royal ancestors and Solemn Depth That Transcends Life and Death gods of nature. “Preserving the royal shrine and state altars,” therefore, meant safeguard- Royal Ancestral Shrine of Joseon Dynasty ing the dynasty itself. The royal ancestral shrine constituted the Text from World Heritage in Korea moral backbone of a Confucian dynasty, the place where Korean royal families per- formed rites to venerate their ancestors, starting with the Silla period (57 B.C.−A.D. “Your Majesty, please preserve the Jongmyo from the influence of old forces. With the site 935). China had imperial ancestral temples, 2 and Sajik!” This plea from court retainers of the new capital chosen, he decided where called taimiao, since ancient times, while in is heard in Korean period dramas when the to build the main palace and ordered the con- own style and procedures in the actual con- 2. Jongmyo is nestled in Japan, which also belonged to the Confucian lush woods in the heart of king is remiss in looking after state affairs or struction of two other key facilities ― the struction of the royal memorial shrine and cultural sphere, the spirit tablets of emperors Seoul. when the country is in crisis. What are Jong- royal ancestral shrine and the altars for the ceremonial performances. This is why Jong- were enshrined at Shinto shrines. In China, myo and Sajik? Why are they so important? gods of land and crops ― to the left and right myo is recognized as an outstanding cultural the imperial ancestral temple of the Qing side of the palace, respectively. legacy of Korea. Two years after proclaiming the founding of Dynasty remains in Beijing, but its buildings the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, Taejo moved the Jongmyo, the royal ancestral shrine, was to have been largely remodeled under com- Dazzling Beauty of Simplicity, Repetition seat of his throne to Hanyang, the present- house the spirit tablets of kings and queens, munist rule and the traditional veneration and Restraint day Seoul, from Gaeseong, in spite of his and the Sajik would comprise the altars for ceremonies have been discontinued. In the Along with Changdeok and Changgyeong 1. The Main Hall of Jong- earlier pledge to retain the state name and gods of land and crops. As state sites as im- Confucian cultural sphere, Korea is the only palaces, Jongmyo originally formed part of myo houses 49 spirit tab- systems of Goryeo. He needed a new seat portant as the main palace, where the king country where a royal ancestral shrine is per- lets of kings and queens of an exclusive zone in the heart of old Seoul. of power to rule his fledgling kingdom away would reside and rule, they were sacred fectly preserved and veneration rites contin- the Joseon Dynasty. But it now lies apart from the two palaces ue to be conducted in the authentic manner. across a road, which the Japanese made to This is a major reason why the UNESCO in- “cut off the vein of Joseon” during the colo- scribed Jongmyo on its World Heritage List. nial period. The spirit tablets of kings and queens of the For the Joseon Dynasty, Jongmyo had differ- 3. The main gate and the Joseon Dynasty are housed in two halls on spirit path to the Hall of ent symbolic implications than its palaces. It Eternal Peace. the compounds of Jongmyo: the Main Hall (Jeongjeon) keeps 49 royal spirit tablets and the Hall of Eternal Peace (Yeongnyeongjeon) keeps 34 tablets. Noted for its unique ar- chitectural style and solemn ambience, the Main Hall is the largest among contempo- rary wooden structures in the world, with the front façade running 101 meters along 25 bays.
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