‘명기(明器)’의 개념과 연원 고찰 -중국 삼대(三代)에서 송대(宋代)를 중심으로-

Abstract

‘Myeong-gi(明器)’ is a word that refers to grave goods based on Confucianism, and Confucius made sure to have rites to practice filial piety founded on benevolence (仁). Accordingly, even when a tomb was built, necessary items were put in the tomb to show respect to the dead, but things that the living could not use were buried. This burial goods called 'Myung-gi' because of the sense that they were regarded as belonging to the spirit, distinct from those of the living. The custom of putting burial items in the way humans dispose of corpses has already been confirmed since prehistoric times, but it is understood that the burial etiquette in East Asia began to be prepared as early as the Xia Dynasty. However, it is judged that the concept of burial items was established at the latest during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, and the rites of the burial goods also begun to be regulated almost the same period, but gradually supplemented in posterity. From the Han Dynasty to the Wei Jin Dynasty, the proportion of 'earthenware[瓦器]' among burial items began to increase. And Northern Wei inherited this ritual and 'Do-yong(陶俑)' made of clay become to take up a major proportion of 'Myeong-gi(明器)'. 'Do-yong(陶俑)' had continued from the the Weijin-Northern and Southern Dynasties to Tang, it is understood that the concept of ‘Myeong-gi(明器)’ began to be differentiated after the middle of the 8th century. In the Northern Song Dynasty, ‘Myeong-gi(明器)’ expanded to the common people, and since the Later Tang Dynasty, as Buddhism became popular, the private sector began to use the new concept of paper ‘Myeong-gi(冥器)’ that reflected the buddhistic afterlife view. In addition, it can be seen that ‘Myeong-gi(明器)’ represents another aspects of ideas. It is understood that the famous instruments of the Song Dynasty excavated in the Gangseo area were used for the purpose of reproducing the life space of the deceased. Also figurines symbolizing the 12 zodiac signs have been excavated, which can be said to reflect the traditional Taoist view of the afterlife in southern China. On the other hand, in the Northern Song Dynasty, the trend of Buddhist funerals, which had been passed down from the Later Tang Dynasty, and the trend of heavily burying ‘Myeong-gi(明器)’ regardless of social status appeared. Accordingly, the regulations on the rite of burial goods limited the quantity to show the hierarchy according to the rank on a smaller scale than before.