The King Gongmin Shrine and Subok at the Joseon Jongmyo Shrine

Research clarifies the role and management of the King Gongmin Shrine (공민왕 신당) within the Joseon Dynasty's Jongmyo Shrine, revealing that its operations were overseen by a distinct group known as 'subok' (守僕). Contrary to prior assumptions, this shrine was not merely a type of 'bugundang' (府君堂), but functioned independently with annual rituals and monthly offerings. The study leverages colonial-era documents, including the 'Jongmyo Ilji' (宗廟日誌) and 'Daebang Hagui' (大房下記), to reconstruct its ceremonial practices and financial records, providing insights into both public duties—such as shrine maintenance and ritual preparations—and private rituals that strengthened communal bonds. Additionally, it identifies the subok's organizational structure through the 'Banghun' (房憲) and their exclusion from formal roles within Jongmyo, highlighting their unique position in maintaining both administrative and spiritual cohesion.

Lee, W. (2021). The King Gongmin Shrine and Subok at the Joseon Jongmyo Shrine. The Critical Review of Religion and Culture, 40, 219–258. https://doi.org/10.36429/crrc.40.7