Abstract

During the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, from the reign of King Taejong to King Seongjong, considerable efforts were made to establish and develop the sacrificial vessel system used by the Royal Court. The Uiryesangjeongso (Bureau for Establishing Ritual Standards), which operated during the Taejong era, compiled the “Jesaseoryedo” by scholar Heo Jo, who was well-versed in ritual protocols and referenced the systems of the Tang and Song dynasties. This study examined the basic framework for the ritual vessel systems of the Joseon royal family. Although the “Jesaseoryedo” is not extant, analyses of the “Five Rites” in the “Annals of King Sejong” and the “Illustrated Ceremonial Rites of the State” suggest that the early Joseon vessel system was designed and established from Joseon’s perspective, considering the “Sohuizhu Xuanshede Yi” and the “Yeseo” as its two main pillars. This system stably operated throughout the Joseon dynasty. The active adoption of “Shao-hsi chou-hsien shih-tien i-t’u(紹煕州縣釋奠儀圖)” and the “Yeseo(禮書)” in the establishment of the early Joseon ritual vessel system was aimed at harmonizing the Confucian temple rites and royal ancestral rites. Through the “Shao-hsi chou-hsien shih-tien i-t’u” Joseon could embody its national philosophy and promote integration and order. The sacrificial vessels in the “Shao-hsi chou-hsien shih-tien i-t’u” were universally used in Confucian states, transcending political and diplomatic relations; hence their selection was justified. Heo Jo’s reverence for ancestral rites influenced the choice of Confucian temple vessels at the core of Joseon’s ritual vessel system. Furthermore, the “Yeseo” was used as a reference to select the vessels that were not included in the “Shao-hsichou-hsien shih-tien i-t’u” The selection of vessels from the “Yeseo” over the other texts is viewed as an indication of Joseon’s intent to build their own vessel system. Thus, Joseon established a ritual vessel system that integrated Confucian temples with royal ancestral rites, aligning East Asian universality with Joseon’s uniqueness.