This Exhibition Hall displays the major life events of certain Korean figures born into the upper class of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Confucianism was the state ideology which stipulated the importance of having a son to carry on the family line. People, therefore, prayed fervently for a son leading up to the child’s birth. Celebrations were held for the newborn baby’s first 100 days and on its 1st birthday to celebrate the baby’s safe passage into the world. Coming-of-age ceremonies were conducted for girls at the age of fifteen, and at the age of twenty for boys, while new families were established through marriage. Upper-class men aspired to obtain a government post by passing the state examinations. The key role for upper-class women, however, was to manage the household. The family overcame the pain and sorrow of losing a parent by observing a three-year mourning period, after which the spirit of the departed was honored in a shrine. Memorial services were performed regularly to placate the spirits of the deceased, ensure the prosperity of succeeding generations, and to maintain harmony among the surviving family members.
Birth
Since it had been the social custom for the son to succeed the family lineage from the father during the era of the Joseon Kingdom, every household had an ardent desire to birth a son. A majority of the households prayed for the flourishing of descendants, alongside prosperity with many sons to the three deities governing childbirth to ensure a healthy heir. After childbirth, straw rope is hung on the entrance door to announce the birth of a child and to ward off entry of anything unclean and evil. The placenta was placed in a placenta pot and buried in clean location or burnt to pray for the well-being of the child during growth. People celebrated the birth of the child only after the child reached the age of 100 days old by holding a 100th day celebration, since the infant mortality at the time was very high, and predicted the future of the child by holding the 1st birthday party one year later.
Education
During the era of the Joseon Kingdom, efforts were made to establish a moralistic society through Confucian ethical education on the basis of Samgangoryun (the three fundamental principles and the five moral disciplines in human relations). The state presented citations for renowned dutiful sons, loyal subjects, women of chaste reputation, and various books written in Chinese, including “Samganghaengsildo” (a picture book on the execution of the three fundamental principles of human relations), etc. were translated into Hangul, along with pictures for distribution throughout the society. Males underwent education by learning “Cheonjamun” (a poem used to teach Chinese characters) and “Dongmongseonseup” (a beginner textbook on the education of morality) in their childhood, and studied Confucius scriptures or history books at Hyanggyo (a Confucian temple and school) or Seowon (a lecture hall) in order to prepare for the highest level state examination to recruit ranking officials. While the women obtained new information and broadened their knowledge through the exchanging of letters or reading Hangul translations of books written in Chinese, they were able to learn Hangul at home.
Coming-of-age Ceremonies
During the era of the Joseon Kingdom, males held the coming-of-age ceremony referred to as Gwanrye, while females held Gyerye, initiated from the influence of the “Jujagarye” (a text speaking of the etiquette to be observed at home in China). When a male reached the age of 20 years, he would undergo the coming-of-age ceremony by styling a Sangtu (putting the hair in top-knot), and by wearing a collection of hair accessories in the order of a chipogwan, yoogeon, and gat, in front of the elders of the family, and be granted the title, Ja, which is the name given when one reaches adulthood. Females underwent Gyerye in which the hair is put up in a chignon and wore a binyeo (a traditional ornamental hairpin of Korea) in the hair at around the age of 15 years. In many cases, marriage ceremonies substituted the coming-of-age ceremony and doing the hair in such a manner was performed prior to the marriage. Once the Gwanrye and Gyerye concluded, men and women would inform their coming-of-age to their ancestors at the ancestral shrine, and greet the elders of the family and the neighbors.
Marriage
The Joseon Kingdom was a predominantly Confucius society, with a strict prohibition of encounters and distinctions between male and female. Marriage was conducted mostly through matchmakers, and during such a process, the marital compatibility between men and women was reviewed on the basis of the birth year, month, day, and time of birth. Once the marriage was decided, the engagement was evidenced by sending a Nappyeham (a box used for sending wedding offerings to the bride’s family from the groom’s family) containing a marriage letter along with presents to commemorate the wedding. The marriage ceremony was conducted by dedicating Jeonanrye (a woodcarving of two wild geese) to the bride’s family, followed by Gyobaerye (bowing), which involved the bride and the groom bowing to each other. It was then concluded with Hapgeunrye (the sharing of nuptial cup halves between the bride and groom before placing them together). Although the Jujagarye (a text speaking of the etiquette to be observed at home in China) stipulates that the bride and groom would bring the bride to his house for the nuptial ceremony, Korean couples held the nuptial ceremony by having the bride and groom spend the honeymoon at the residence of the bride’s family.
Family
In Joseon, the blood relationship between parents and child was regarded as destined by the heavens and moral laws that could not be broken. Confucian filial piety was accorded the utmost importance. Succession of the family line from father to son was to be respected by the offspring, and filial piety was exercised by the three-year mourning and ancestral rites. The head of a family bequeathed responsibility to conduct ancestral rites and properties to the oldest son for succession of the family line and clearly recorded the line and kinship in the genealogy. The lady of the house was to assist the head of the household, manage the household, and pray for the well-being of the family through such means as embroidery of auspicious designs. During Joseon, good governance of the household was as important as or even more important than governing the nation and bringing peace to the world. This section looks at the efforts to lead a family by the family of Lee Hwang (pen name: Toegye), one of the most prestigious families of the Joseon period. As the head of the family, Lee relentlessly busied himself and took care of every matter to lead his family to the best of his ability.
Successful Career
Although the Joseon Kingdom was characterized by a strict hierarchy system, it was possible to climb up the social hierarchy through passing the highest-level state examination used to recruit ranking officials. Although it was also possible to occupy high ranking government posts due the contributions made by the ancestors without passing the state examination, which is referred to as Eumjik. Passing the highest level state examination used to recruit ranking officials and being granted a high ranking government post was considered to be the most ideal career path. In a Confucius society placing higher values on academics, civil service was given greater priority and preference than military service. Accordingly, a successful career as a civil servant, was not only a personal societal success, but also an honor for the family. In addition, government officials with firmly established foundations of Confucian attainments gave honest advice to the king, even with their lives on the line, because of their firm belief that it was their duty to be maintain both loyalty and integrity.
Appreciation for the Arts
Aristocratic noblemen of the Joseon Kingdom enjoyed and appreciated the arts by taking leisurely rests in nature to escape the mundane daily life. They either recited poems alone at a thatched cottage built deep in mountainous areas, played Geomungo (a traditional Korean six-stringed musical instrument) or forged friendships with relatives and friends through singing and dancing at locations with marvelous scenic views. They nurtured the attainments as noblemen by having a drink, sharing a poem or appreciating paintings while listening to music, including Pansori (a traditional Korean dramatic song) or playing the Geomungo or other musical instruments. Moreover, they enjoyed leisurely activities, such as Baduk (Korean chess) and Tuho (game of throwing sticks into canister), as well as honing their physique by practicing archery in the mountains and fields.
60th Birthday
During the era of the Joseon Kingdom, a major festival was held in celebration of the 60th birthday of the elders of the family, referred to as Hoigap or Hwangap. As the age of 60 years old or more meant longevity, the descendants of the family honored them and invited relatives and friends to celebrate the longevity of their parents and elders. During the birthday party, a folding screen with a drawing of Baeksubaekbokdo (a drawing of longevity and good fortune) was hung up and a table with a bountiful feast was set in congratulations of the longevity of the elders. The descendants bowed to the elders with prayers for the continuance of a long and healthy life.
Healing
Those who got ill or weak were treated at oriental herbal medicinal clinics during the era of the Joseon Kingdom. Although the medical texts from China were referred to by doctors, clinics began to treat the diseases by using acupuncture or prescribing herbal medicine in accordance with the symptoms of the diseases as the “Dongeuibogam” (The Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine), a medical textbook written by Heo Jun, began to be distributed. However, when the diseases could not be cured with such medical treatment, people of Korea resorted to supernatural powers through incantations, such as shamanistic exorcism or amulets for the prevention and treatment of disease.
Funeral Rites
Funeral rites refer to the 3-year long ritual of burying the dead in the ground and coming out of mourning after 27 months. During the era of the Joseon Kingdom, the 3-year long funeral rite was considered the duty of the children in accordance with the Confucian ethics of filial duty. The children left behind placed the parent, who had passed away, on a splendidly decorated funeral bier on the way to the grave and also buried exquisite tableware with them for the afterlife. The children would resign from their government posts or farming duties, and take care of the dead as though the parent was alive by building a small hut next to the grave over a period of 3 years.
Ancestral ritual
Ancestral rites is a ritual for the commemoration of the ancestors by keeping ancestral tablets at the family shrine on every special occasion. Serving the ancestors as though they were alive was considered to be the foremost filial duty. During the era of the Joseon Kingdom, family shrines were constructed within the house in accordance with the Confucian ancestral ritual and served four generations of ancestors including parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents. These four generations of ancestors responded to the prayers and well-wishes of the descendants through ancestral rites held at the main hall of the main building of the house on the day they passed away and at the family shrine or grave during national holidays, such as New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, for the ancestors, who were five generations older or more, ancestral rites were held at the grave on Hansik (the 105th day after the winter solstice) or in October. For families who could not afford to have family shrines, they would build an alcove to keep ancestral tablets or hold ancestral rites by making Gammoyeojaedo (a home of a spirit) by the drawing of ancestral shrine onto which the ancestral tablets made from paper were attached.
National Folk Museum of Korea
The National Folk Museum of Korea is situated in the center of Seoul with the goal of becoming an educational venue where visitors can learn how Koreans lived from the past to present. The National Folk Museum of Korea investigates, researches, and acquires artifacts and various resources about the daily lives of Koreans in the past and present.
The Museum operates three permanent exhibition halls and an open-air exhibition hall, including an exhibition hall dedicated to the history of daily life and culture of the Korean people, an exhibition hall about the Korean Way of Life and an exhibition hall for the life cycle of Koreans. Additionally, special exhibitions are held at least four times a year to further broaden the understanding of Korean folkways.
The National Folk Museum of Korea is dedicated to acquiring and preserving artifacts and information on the traditional ways of life, which are rapidly disappearing due to modernization and urbanization. The materials acquired through purchases, donations, or temporary loans are systematically consolidated in accordance with criteria for the categorization of folklore materials after having been scientifically processed and treated. Various research projects are conducted to acquire photographs, films, and videos of the sites of various folk events. Moreover, the museum systematically organizes and accumulates specialized ethnologic literatures and a wide range of multimedia folklore materials in the Folk Archives to allow for easier access.
The Museum conducts investigative research on the traditional daily life and cultures of Korea including seasonal customs, local religions, and regional festivals that have been passed down to the present, while also publishing a wide range of reports on the findings of the research. Recently, the museum also began to record the practices of contemporary living that are endangered due to rapid urbanization and local development.