Munmyo

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Munmyo
Hangul 문묘 Hanja 文廟 Revised Romanization Munmyo McCune- Reischauer Munmyo

Munmyo (more specifically Seoul Munmyo or Seonggyungwan Munmyo) is Korea's primary Confucian shrine ("munmyo" is also the general Korean term for "Confucian shrine"). It is located in central Seoul, South Korea, at 53 Myeongnyun-dong 3(sam)-ga, Jongno-gu, on the campus of Sungkyunkwan University.

It was established by the scholar An Hyang in 1398, in the seventh and final year of the reign of King Taejo (r. 1392-1398), the founder and first king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

A ritual called Munmyo jerye (hangul: 문묘제례; hanja: 文廟祭禮), which involves music and dance, is held there each year in the spring (April) and autumn (September); the ritual features ancient music of Chinese origin called Munmyo jeryeak (hangul: 문묘제례악; hanja: 文廟祭禮樂), which is a form of aak. The ritual honors Confucius as well as Choe Chiwon and Seol Chong, Confucian scholars of the Unified Silla period (668–935). The musicians are provided by The National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts. The instruments used include flutes (hun, so, and bamboo flutes), zithers (seul and geum), stone chimes (pyeongyeong), bronze bells (pyeonjong), various drums played with sticks, tiger-shaped wooden scraper (eo), wooden box (chuk), and wooden clappers (bak).

Munmyo is designated by the South Korean government as Historic Site No. 143.

[edit] External links

• Munmyo Shrine
• Asian Historical Architecture: Munmyo Confucian Shrine
• "Rare Confucian Musical Ritual at NCKTPA", by Kim Ju-young, from The Korea Times

[edit] Video

• Munmyo jeryeak video

[edit] See also

• Temple of Confucius
• Korean Confucianism
• Confucius
• Aak
• Jongmyo