琉球의 공자묘 창건과 명륜당 건립의 의미

Abstract

The mausoleum of Confucius(孔子廟) is a shrine where the tablet for the Chinese great saint is kept. It is in fact a fitting symbol of Confucianism. Myeongryundang(明倫堂) is a place where the essence of Eastern thoughts and culture is taught. Thus, the mausoleum of Confucius and Myeongryundang are both very important things proving the acceptance of Chinese classics and, further, Confucianism. It was 1674 when the mausoleum of Confucius was built up in Yugu. In the winter of 1671, Kim Jeong-chun(金正春) as general manager of Kumemura asked in writing King Sangjeong(尙貞王) via regent Hyang Sang-hyeon(向象賢) to approve the construction of that mausoleum, and got the approval. Expenses for the construction were partly donated by princes and scholars of the noble class and the balance was made up from public funds. In 1672, the construction was began immediately after its site was determined. And the mausoleum of Confucius was completely built up in November 1674. In 1718, Myeongryundang was built up by the mausoleum of Confucius at Kumemura. It was Yugu’s first institution of public education. The construction of the educational establishment was primarily due to request by Wang jeup(王楫) ho went to Yugu in 1683 as messenger who would install King Sangjeong and, indeed, realized a year after Jeong Sun-chik(程順則) made a joint petition in 1717. The construction of the mausoleum of Confucius and Myeongryundang in Yugu is meaningful in two ways, or ①introduction of the Chinese systems and ②acceptance of Confucianism. By the way, the two Confucian facilities were burnt to ashes by Naha air raids in Oct. 10, 1944 during the 2nd World War. Later, the mausoleum of Confucius and Myeongryundang was completely reconstructed at a present place in Jan. 25, 1975 when ceremonies celebrating their inauguration and revival and the 1st Seokjeon(釋奠) were held.