Traditional Rites and Rituals
Definition of Jesa
Jesa is a ceremony held to commemorate one's departed ancestors and to express one's gratitude to them. Therefore, the ceremony is performed with utmost sincerity, as if the departed ancestor was still alive, and is an occasion on which to be blessed by one's ancestor and to teach one's descendants filial affection and veneration.
Types and Meanings of Jesa
According to Chu Hsi's Family Rituals , which was the standard book on Jesa during the Joseon period, there were six Jesa, namely, Sasije (seasonal rites), Chojoje (rite for the clan progenitor), Seonjoje (rite for ancestors between the progenitor and the great-great grandfather), Nyeje (memorial rite exclusively dedicated to the deceased father), Giyilje (memorial rite dedicated to close ancestors on the anniversary of their deaths), and Myoje (gravesite rite). Sasije is a memorial ceremony dedicated to the four latest generations (great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather, grandfather and father) in each season (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), and symbolizes the laws of nature. Thus, Chojoje is a memorial ceremony dedicated to the clan progenitor in dongji (winter solstice), and symbolizes the winter solstice as the start of yang (陽: sun); Seonjoje is a memorial ceremony dedicated to the ancestors between the progenitor and the great-great grandfather, and symbolizes the beginning of spring when all lives begin; and Nyeje is a memorial ceremony dedicated to the deceased father in Jungchu (the middle of autumn), and symbolizes autumn when grains and fruits ripen. As for Giyilje, it is a memorial ceremony in which one's ancestors are commemorated on the anniversary of their deaths, while Myoje is a gravesite rite held in March and October, as plants and trees begin to grow in March and to wither in October.
Changes of Jesa
Confucian ancestral rites and rituals gradually spread throughout Korea as Chinese books such as Elementary Learning and Chu Hsi’s Family Rituals were regarded as practical guidelines for the nobility, along with the acceptance of Neo-Confucianism from China at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty. Although Family Rituals was accepted by Korean society, Korean books such as Gukjo oryeui (Book on the Five Rites of State) and Sangnyebiyo (Essentials of Funerary Rites) already stated that Sasije, Gije, and Myoje had been the three major Jesa since ancient times. In these books, Sasije, held in the Jeongchim (a room in the main building of the ritual house), was considered the most important rite, but as Korean people placed great importance on graves, memorial rites were usually performed at gravesites rather than shrines on the four major traditional Korean holidays of Seollal, Hansik, Dano, and Chuseok. Since sometimes, Sasinje held at a shrine and Myoje could happen at the same time, and Myoje practice was more prevalent, Sasije became reduced in size. Hence, Gije and Charye were held at shrines on traditional Korean holidays, and were mainly dedicated to the four latest generations, while Mojye (or called Seilsa) was held at gravesites in March and October, and Jeolsa was held on the four major traditional Korean holidays. At present, according to the Regulation on Simplified Family Ritual Standards, Gije is performed for two generations; Charye, on Seollal and Chuseok; and Myoje, on Hansik, and Chuseok, Junggu (the ninth day of the ninth lunar month), or on the day chosen by the family. However, Korean people still consider important and observe Jesa rituals such as Gije (dedicated to four generations), Charye, and Seongmyo (a visit to ancestral graves), which are held on Seollal, Chuseok or Junggu. Moreover, people consider that Sije should be performed on Hansik or in October, and Myoje is performed at the gravesites of five or more generations.
Bongsadaesu (Number of Generations Commemorated in Ancestral Rituals)
When Confucian ancestral rituals were initially accepted in Korea, the number of generations for ancestral rituals was also restricted according to one's position. According to the Gyeongguk daejeon (National Code) of the Joseon Dynasty, civil and military officials of grade 6 or higher were allowed to perform ancestral rituals for three generations, those of grade 7 or lower, two generations, and commoners, only their parents. As such, the number of generations to be commemorated depended on one's position and was determined by law; however, the four-generation rule was followed and led by Confucian scholars who practiced Chu Hsi's Family Rituals , and it ultimately became an accepted practice regardless one's position. Although four generations of ancestors were commemorated in Gije, the families of men who had rendered distinguished services to the country, or outstanding scholars, were allowed to hold their ancestral rituals at a shrine in perpetuity. The shinwi (memorial tablet) that was not removed from a shrine forever was called a Bulcheonwi, Bulcheonjiwi, or Bujowi, and a shrine containing such tablets was called a Bujomyo. As the Regulation on the Simplified Family Ritual Standards was promulgated during the period of Japanese colonial rule, Gije was set to be held for two generations (grandparents and parents), except for the Bulcheonwi, but traditionally it is still held for four generations.
Jesa Venues
The Sadang (shrine) or Gamyo (family shrine) is the place where ancestral tablets are placed and worshiped. Charye is performed at the shrine on the first and fifteenth days of each month, and traditional Korean holidays, or the head of household visits the shrine every morning, or whenever a major family rite is due to be held. As for Sasije and Gije, ancestral tablets are taken from the shrine to the Jeongchim (a room of the main building of the ritual house) for the memorial ceremony. Myoje is generally performed at gravesites, except when it rains, when it is performed as Mangje (a memorial service in which the participants look towards the ancestor's grave) with paper tablets at a Jaesil or Jaesa (a building for holding a memorial service next to a grave or shrine).
Object of Jesa
Object of Jesa The object of Jesa is generally an ancestral tablet. However, if there is no ancestral tablet, it can be replaced with a paper tablet or a portrait or picture of the deceased.
