조선시대 선잠(先蠶) 악장 연구

Abstract

Akjang means Jega, songs of sacrificial rites, which are songs dedicated to gods used in established national rites such as Hwangu(圜丘:worshiping heaven), Sajik(社稷:guardian deities of the state), Jongmyo(宗廟:the royal ancestors' shrine). The title of Akjang literature(the Aesthetics of a movement) includes the comprehensive poems and songs of Akjang, songs dedicated to gods in sacrificial rites of a nation, and Gasa(歌詞), glorifying songs used at feasts performed at royal court. There can be different wider or narrower extensions of Akjang literature according to different researchers, but Akjang basically has the characteristic function of ritual songs dedicated to gods. Akjang as ritual songs is used in some specific rites of Confucian religious rites. Therefore the intrinsic features of Akjang can be revealed when discussed along with the specific rites. The necessity has been raised that the essential natures of Akjang, especially of ritual Akjang, must be researched within the sacrificial rites, but no definitive studies in this regard were made yet. This study aims to investigate the implications of Seonjam Akjang in association with the process of practical etiquettes during national ancestral rites in Choseon Dynasty. Seonjam Akjang is a type of Akjang performed at Seonjam-je Ceremonial Rites in Choseon Dynasty. Seonjam Ceremonial rite, a specific rite for the God of Silkworms, Seoreung, was conducted with solemnity on the Auspicious Day of the Snake, in March of the lunar calendar at Seonjam altar located in Dong-gyo. Currently, there are three remaining Akjang: Seonjam Akjang by Byun, Gyeryang, the one included in National Rituals, and the last one performed at Chinjam-rye. Among those three, the one composed by Byeon, Gheryang is included in ChunjeongChip (the book with poetry and prose composed by Byeon, Gyeryang). In light of the fact that the remaining Akjang contains the story of Queen’s performance of rites in person, it could be surmised that it would not be actually used in Choseon Dynasty due to the fact that the rites in Choseon era were practiced by the official crier the King sent. Akjang that is included in National Rituals is the one that is used for JeonPye (the offering of ceremonial food), Choheon (the first libation), and Cheolbyeondu (the removal of the ceremonial vessels from the altar for praying benediction after performing enshrinement politely) among procedures of Seonjam-je.