Inauguration of the Special Exhibition Military Rituals - Symbol of Joseon Dynasty’s Military Power
January 19- March 1, 2021, National Palace Museum of Korea-

Situated just a few steps from Gyeongbokgung Palace Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, the National Palace Museum of Korea (Director: Kim Dong-Young) specializes in the collection, research, and exhibition of heritage artifacts from the Joseon Dynasty royal court (1392?1910). The museum is temporarily closed as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so the special exhibition Military Rituals?Symbols of the Joseon Dynasty’s Military Power will be first unveiled virtually on January 19 through online platforms including the museum website, YouTube, and others.

The National Palace Museum of Korea (Director: Kim Dong-Young), an affiliate of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, is presenting the special exhibition Military Rituals ? Symbols of the Joseon Dynasty’s Military Power. This exhibition introducing military endeavors and rituals in the Joseon royal court will be held from January 19 through March 1, 2021.

Military rites were one category of five Joseon state ceremonies with systemized protocols and procedures considered necessary to govern the state, known collectively as the Five State Rites. The military rites signified that the king had supreme command of the armed forces, and they also served to enhance the authority of the Joseon royal court.  The exhibition aims to use these rites to spotlight Joseon kings’ efforts at demonstrating their military command and sustain the dynasty and explore the military endeavors of the Joseon Dynasty.

The special exhibition consists of two main sections ? Part I. Military Endeavors the Joseon Dynasty and Part II. Military Rituals of the Joseon Dynasty. The first section, “Military Endeavors of the Joseon Dynasty” explores how people of the time attempted to overcome national crises through military practices. Dividing the Joseon Dynasty into two periods with 1592 (beginning of the Japanese Invasions of Korea) as a reference point, this section showcases books and paintings on military science in chronological order. Also presented is a video on the Japanese Invasions of Korea (1592-1598) and tactical formations applied in military training.

The second section, “Military Rituals of the Joseon Dynasty,” sheds light on the contents and significance of the six military rituals (Gangmuui, Guilsigui, Gyeodongdaenaui, Daesaui, Seollopoui, and Heongoegui), in which the king also participated, through the artifacts related to each practice. Gangmuui, a military ritual in which the king went hunting with his soldiers, was performed to capture wild game for sacrificial rites performed at the Jongmyo Shrine. Artifacts such as Wooden Tablet Authorizing Military Mobilization, Horse Saddle and Stirrups, Military Official’s Robe, and Military Official’s Hat offer a glimpse into the ritual.

Moreover, the Portrait of King Cheoljong, the only late-Joseon painting that shows the king in military attire, is displayed in the exhibition together with related artifacts, such as military uniform, commander’s club, waist band, thumb ring, and sword. Together they allow a visualization of the king as commander-in-chief.

Guilsigui and Gyedongdaenaui are rituals with symbolic meaning that were performed in an attempt to utilize military force to stabilize natural phenomena and restore normalcy. Guilsigui was performed to make the sun reappear during the solar eclipse, while Gyeongdongdaenaui was performed to drive away evil spirts that were believed to cause infectious disease. Displayed in this section is the only surviving example of a Joseon-era Bangsangsi Mask, worn by a person charged with expelling evil spirits.

Daesaui, a military ritual in which the king practices archery together with his subjects, was considered important for developing self-discipline and nurturing virtue. This rite is examined through artifacts such as Book with Records on Formal Archery Ritual (documenting the Daesaui hosted by King Yeongjo in 1743, a resumption of the ritual after a gap of 200 years), Painting of a Formal Archery Ritual (documenting the 1743 event), attire of participants, bows and arrows, and other accessories for archery. Also featured is an animation of the scenes depicted in Painting of Formal Archery Ritual, presented in the sequential order of the ritual.

Seollopoui and Heongoegui are rituals for proclaiming victory by displaying a decree describing how a war was fought and victory was won alongside the severed head of an enemy leader. They were recognized as formal military rituals in 1744 when King Yeongjo (r. 1724?1776) published them in the book of state rites. This formalization by Yeongjo was also a political act to display his authority. To offer visitors with a better understanding of the rite, this part of the exhibition is made into an animated short film featuring the process of submission of the victory decree to the king, followed by the presentation of the enemy’s head to the king and displaying the head outside the palace.

Daeyeorui is a military exercise directly commanded by the king that mobilized a greater number of soldiers than the other military rituals. The exhibition space for Daeyeorui offers a unique visual attraction, showcasing artifacts that were required for the performance of the military exercise, such as armor, helmets, weapons, and military signal systems like flags and musical instruments. Among the exhibits, a set of artifacts from the Grassi Museum of Ethnography Leipzig collection that includes armor, a helmet, a storage box for the set, a helmet cover, an inner garment, and wrapping cloth is in pristine condition and is being displayed in Korea for the first time.

The space dedicated to armor and helmets features a background with a large video screen that will allow visitors to imagine the Daeyeori ritual from the perspective of the king commanding the lines of soldiers. On the opposite wall is an impressive display of the large collection of flags housed in the National Palace Museum of Korea.

The exhibition also offers a corner to practice archery through interactive digital technology and a space for an immersive video experience on military rituals, creating a more enjoyable museum experience for visitors. 

Visitors are required to have timed reservations to see the exhibition. Reservations can be made online on the museum’s website or at the on-site ticket office. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the number of visitors will be limited to 100 per hour and 900 per day. To ensure a safe environment for all, the museum has the following additional protocols: individual tours only (no group visits allowed); check of face covering and temperature at entry; and maintain one-way paths in the galleries.

For visitors unable to visit the gallery in person, the exhibition will be available for viewing online from January 19. The exhibition, including through views of the installations and curator-led tours, can be explored through videos posted on the National Palace Museum of Korea website (www.gogung.go.kr) the YouTube channels of the Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Palace Museum of Korea.
* National Palace Museum of Korea Website: www.gogung.go.kr
National Palace Museum of Korea YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gogungmuseum
Cultural Heritage Administration YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/chluvu

Visitors may also stroll the exhibition virtually and enjoy highlights from the exhibition with descriptions of the exhibited artifacts on the Daum virtual gallery (https://gallery.v.daum.net/MilitaryRituals). Moreover, videos telling stories on a specific topic will be released every Thursday for four weeks. On January 29, a virtual reality (VR) component will be unveiled that allows a more vivid experience of the exhibition.

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