Hopes for Peace, Harvest Accompany Sajik Park Memorial Ceremony

The Sajik Great Fete, Intangible Cultural Asset No. 111, was held at Sajik Park in Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on September 4, 2005. Sajik Great Fete is a traditional ancestor-memorial ceremony that the King of the Joseon Dynasty holds for national peace and a good harvest with civil and military officials. Sajik is derived from the names of two gods: the Sa god, who is in charge of land, and the Jik god, who manages grain. The Sajik Great Fete has been held every February, August, “Dongji," or winter solstice, and New Year’s Eve in lunar calendar, but was abolished in 1908 (the second year of King Sunjong) during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Royal carriages were going on a trip in a line through Deoksu Palace, Sejongno, and Sajik Park, before the religious ritual began.

Won-Gun Shin laputa@donga.com