| the Revival of the Ceremony at Seoul's Imperial Temple of Heaven in June 2002 (page 2) |
The Japanese authorities tore down the entire Temple of Heaven in 1913, after their conquest was completed.
The Chosun Bando Hotel, which was Korea's first modern-style public accommodations, was built over its
ruins, slightly to the east of where the Westin Chosun now stands. Since this site is still an auspicious one
according to geomancy, any guests who eat, drink and sleep there will receive the blessings of Heaven. In theory.
In early June of 2002 Mrs. Dho Young-shim (Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for Visit Korea Year),
Mr. Jo Hong-gyu (President of KNTO) and Mr. Jang Gyeon-jak (President of Westin Chosun Hotel) arranged
a re-creation of the Go-cheon-je, the profound ceremony praying to Heaven, with a formal garden-dinner for
ambassadors and other VIPs. This was done in the hope that Korea's co-hosting of the 2002 World Cup Finals
would be a great success (as it in fact was), and that this traditional ceremony will be revived and developed into
one of Korea's living Cultural Heritage performances. It was agreed that the Go-cheon-je should be revived in
regular Spring and Autumn performances, "to let foreign visitors and even our own citizens know and see more
of Korea's unique and excellent traditional culture."
The Chosun Bando Hotel, which was Korea's first modern-style public accommodations, was built over its
ruins, slightly to the east of where the Westin Chosun now stands. Since this site is still an auspicious one
according to geomancy, any guests who eat, drink and sleep there will receive the blessings of Heaven. In theory.
In early June of 2002 Mrs. Dho Young-shim (Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for Visit Korea Year),
Mr. Jo Hong-gyu (President of KNTO) and Mr. Jang Gyeon-jak (President of Westin Chosun Hotel) arranged
a re-creation of the Go-cheon-je, the profound ceremony praying to Heaven, with a formal garden-dinner for
ambassadors and other VIPs. This was done in the hope that Korea's co-hosting of the 2002 World Cup Finals
would be a great success (as it in fact was), and that this traditional ceremony will be revived and developed into
one of Korea's living Cultural Heritage performances. It was agreed that the Go-cheon-je should be revived in
regular Spring and Autumn performances, "to let foreign visitors and even our own citizens know and see more
of Korea's unique and excellent traditional culture."
The role of "Jeju" or leading official of this ceremony, which would have been the Emperor of Korea, was
performed by Mr. Yi Seok (b.1941), who happens to be the actual oldest surviving claimant to the Joseon
Dynasty throne (which is unlikely to ever be revived, however). Twenty men made the offerings, and
they were supported by the traditional teams of 22 musicians & 36 youthful dancers.
So, this ceremony employed a total of 80 participants. It proceeded in several stages according to ancient
Neo-Confucian traditions -- really the same kind of ritual that Koreans perform for their own ancestors on
Lunar New Year's Day and the Chuseok Holiday, just much more elaborate.
performed by Mr. Yi Seok (b.1941), who happens to be the actual oldest surviving claimant to the Joseon
Dynasty throne (which is unlikely to ever be revived, however). Twenty men made the offerings, and
they were supported by the traditional teams of 22 musicians & 36 youthful dancers.
So, this ceremony employed a total of 80 participants. It proceeded in several stages according to ancient
Neo-Confucian traditions -- really the same kind of ritual that Koreans perform for their own ancestors on
Lunar New Year's Day and the Chuseok Holiday, just much more elaborate.
burning the invocation-papers at the end
