대한제국기 건원절 경축 행사의 설행 양상

Abstract

Kŏnwŏnjŏl 乾元節 is a day to commemorate the Emperor Sunjong's 純宗皇帝 birthday. In commemoration of Emperor Sunjong's birthday, various events would be hold in the court, civil places, local communities, and even abroad. Although rituals and parties were hold in honor of the emperor's birthday in Chosŏn dynasty too, they were held mainly in the court, which was different from the atmosphere in the time of the Great Korean Empire when both the government and the people celebrated the birthday in an a lot greater scale. The birthday event for Emperor Sunjong was commemorated every year during his enthronement, and the most notable event was the first Kŏnwŏnjŏl held in March, 1908. This was the first birthday party after Emperor Sunjong was enthroned, and the people prepared lantern parades for this, which made it more special. As Emperor Sunjong and Emperor Kojong 高宗 would watch such lantern parades, this event became a festival for both the royal family and the people. The commemoration event in the court consisted of P'yegyŏnrye 陛見礼, sending regards to Tŏksu palace, and Wŏnyuhoe 園遊会 (garden party). Especially for Wŏnyuhoe, various performances were held including chŏngjae 呈才 performance of a military band, plays and singing of common people, and dancing of Japanese kisaengs 妓生. Since such programs were planned by Cho Chung-ŭng 趙重応, a member of the pro-Japanese party, this could be seen as a machination to break the tradition of the court banquet. As these events had not been taken place in Chosŏn Dynasty, they also could be spoken of as a sign of change and new turn of the national rituals, which is of historical significance. Besides, the fact that Kŏnwŏnjŏl as part of national commemorations in the Great Korean Empire was one of the days commemorated nationwide known as kyŏngjŏl 慶節, which was the beginning of the historical background of the current national holidays, makes this event more precious and meaningful in that it calls to mind the dignity and significance of current national holidays.