Windows to ICH

Republic of Munmyo Jerye ( ᢥᑙ⑂⑥), Grand Ceremony in Honor of Song, Ji-won (Research Professor, Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies, National University, Korea)

unmyo is a Confucian shrine in which a few days in advance for the ritual. On the day ceremony are called Paleum ( 屉ꋑ ), literally meaning various spiritual-tablets of past of the ritual, o#cials welcome the spirits of great eight sounds. These musical instruments construct M Confucian scholars rest. In this shrine, a scholars with full respect and present to them the Deunga and Heonga orchestras, and the dancers total of thirty nine spiritual-tablets are enshrined sacrificial offerings. They also prepare for them who perform Palilmu are accompanied by this music. that belong to Confucius, four disciples, sixteen an attractive arrangement of food and wine and Dance and music make the traditional Korean custom Chinese Confucian scholars, and eighteen Korean then partake in tasting the wine as a blessing Munmyo Jerye magnificent to observe. Munmyo Jerye , Confucian scholars. Currently, the Munmyo from the spirits. The ritual is concluded with the which materialises through Deunga, Heonga and shrine is located in , which was an burning of tribute paper by an o#cial. Palilmu , reflects the sounds of the universe which are institution of higher education during the Joseon Munmyo Jerye ( 灥榽葋蒌 ) is carried out in greater than that of the human world. dynasty and is now a solemn mood while traditional music plays located in Seoul. Every February and August, throughout the ceremony. During the Joseon according to the lunar calendar, commemorative dynasty, people who were ruled by rites are prepared and called Munmyo Jerye or contributed to this combination of the ritual’s refined Seokjeonje . Currently, Seokjeonje is listed as No. 85 manner and solemn music with their modest on the Important Intangible Cultural Heritage List character which has subsequently led us to this of Korea, designated in 1986. magnificent piece of art. In other words, Munmyo Procedures of the Munmyo Jerye ceremony Jerye is celebrated with dance, song, instrumental are as follows: music, and it is carried out in a Confucian manner It begins with the greeting of spirits, Yeongsin ; to exhibit his vision of the universe. The Deungga next is the o!ering of ceremonial food, Jeonpye ; orchestra plays in Dangsang and the Heonga then offering of the first cup of wine, Choheon ; orchestra plays in the court yard in collaboration offering of the second cup of wine, Aheon ; with the Palilmu line dancing which reflects the offering of the third cup of wine, Jongheon ; three powers of thought observed by Confucius, partaking of sacri"cial food and drink, Emboksujo ; representing the sky, the earth and man. Deungga the removal of the ceremonial vessels from the represents the sky; therefore it is played at the altar, Cheolbyeondu ; and it is completed with the highest place. Heonga represents the earth; therefore sending o! of spirits, Songsin . it is played at the lowest place. Palilmu , which requires Every procedure is offered with great sixty four dancers, represents man so it is performed respect to the spirits. In addition to great respect in the middle of the Deungga orchestra and Heonga being offered to the spirits, Munmyo Jerye is orchestra. also an exhibition of honour for the significant The music of sacrificial rituals at the Munmyo Confucian scholars that carried out the essence shrine is played with instruments made from eight of Confucianism. Therefore, to prepare for this elements: metal, stone, thread, bamboo, gourd, soil, ceremony, o#cials cleanse their body and mind leather and wood. The eight elements used in this Palilmu , eight line dance (Photo by ICHCAP)

Sacred ritual music at a Confucian shrine (Photo by ICHCAP)

Jeonjak , o!ering liquor to the shrine (Photo by ICHCAP) O!ering table of ceremonial food (Photo by ICHCAP)

6 | ICH COURIER

㙸䈐⎨㏘⤼䉤–“U\U•‹‹GGG] YWXWTXXTX]GGG㝘䟸G[aWYaX[