Seungjeonmu
Encyclopedia
Seungjeonmu is a Korean court dance to wish for and celebrate victory. It is originated 2000 years ago and is composed of a sword dance and drum dance called mugo
. Seungjeonmu or Dance of Military Triumph was performed to wish for victory from gods of earth and heaven when the nation was at war. Seungjeonmu is South Korea's Important Intangible Cultural Properties number 21, designated on December 21, 1968. The dance is performed in honor of Admiral Yi Sun shin who gained victory during the Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592-1598)}Imjin war (1592-1598) of the mid-Joseon dynasty
.
, a kingdom who conquered Northeast Asia. One wall painting called Gamudo draws dancers dancing in a circle while wearing dresses with long sleeves. This is an important ancient record that shows one of the earliest known Korean dances.
Seungjeonmu was handed down from Tongyeong
, Gyeongsangnamdo. It was performed by women entertainers and dancing boys. Admiral Yi Sun shin had his soldiers dance the drum dance in order to reward them for their labors and raise morale. Originally, all dances performed in military units such as Mugo and sword dance were called dance of victory. But, among them, only Mugo was designated as an important intangible cultural asset in the name of dance of victory.
pattern, which symbolizes the universe, was drawn on the drum. This symbol contained the wishes of the Korean people who wanted to be prosperous like the wide universe.
is almost similar to Mugo of the Royal Court in terms of cloths, instruments, and dance steps, because it has the same origin. Begun in the time of King Chungnyeol (1274-1308) of Goryeo dynasty, it spread beyond the court during the Joseon
period and was performed at local government ceremonies throughout the country. The type developed at Tongyeong is danced by four colorfully dressed dancers, wearing flower hats. It is performed around large drum which they beat to the accompaniment of an orchestra and their own songs. Sometimes it involves 12 other performers who dance around the four wind directions.
(hangul
: 검무), the sword is used to absorb energy from the heavens and purify the Seungjeonmu ritual. The main purpose of the sword dance is to pray to the gods for victory in an upcoming battle. Two real swords were used in the sword dance and in the climax of the dance, the dancer would expertly twirl the swords in rapid movements.
Four women dancers wearing archery cloths and holding Hansam in both hands begin seungjeonmu by beating drums in all directions. It is characterized by 3-advances and 3-retreats and magnificence nimble movements. It uses Samhyeun Dodeuri and Taryeong among Yeongsan Hoisang as accompaniment and has characteristics of unsophisticated and antique steps and movements.
The dances were performed at various ceremonies for some 300 years after the Naval Headquarters of the Three Provinces was instituted. They were also performed at the memorial services held in Admiral Yi's honor in the spring and the autumn, on his birthday and on the anniversary of his death.
Mugo
Mugo is a jeongjae, Korean court dance performed with drum. It was created in the Goryeo dynasty era. It also practiced in ritual dance of Seungjeonmu...
. Seungjeonmu or Dance of Military Triumph was performed to wish for victory from gods of earth and heaven when the nation was at war. Seungjeonmu is South Korea's Important Intangible Cultural Properties number 21, designated on December 21, 1968. The dance is performed in honor of Admiral Yi Sun shin who gained victory during the Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592-1598)}Imjin war (1592-1598) of the mid-Joseon dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
.
Origins
Seungjeonmu originated between 1st century BC and 7th century AD. Paintings of seungjeonmu are found in Goguryeo Wall Paintings that were drawn by Korean ancestors of ancient GoguryeoGoguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
, a kingdom who conquered Northeast Asia. One wall painting called Gamudo draws dancers dancing in a circle while wearing dresses with long sleeves. This is an important ancient record that shows one of the earliest known Korean dances.
Seungjeonmu was handed down from Tongyeong
Tongyeong
Tongyeong is a coastal city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. In 2010, it had an area of 238.81 ㎢ and a population of 139,869 people. It is divided into 1 eup , 6 myeon and 11 dong . Chungmu city and Tongyeong county were reunited in 1995, creating Tongyeong City as we know it today...
, Gyeongsangnamdo. It was performed by women entertainers and dancing boys. Admiral Yi Sun shin had his soldiers dance the drum dance in order to reward them for their labors and raise morale. Originally, all dances performed in military units such as Mugo and sword dance were called dance of victory. But, among them, only Mugo was designated as an important intangible cultural asset in the name of dance of victory.
Forms
Seungjeonmu is divided into 2 dancing parts. Drum dance and sword dance. The drum dance aroused the fighting spirit of the soldiers as it emulated the sound of their heartbeats. An taegukTaeguk
Taegeuk refers to the ultimate reality from which all things and values originate according to oriental philosophy. It is also the symbol that makes up the center of the Korean Flag.-History:...
pattern, which symbolizes the universe, was drawn on the drum. This symbol contained the wishes of the Korean people who wanted to be prosperous like the wide universe.
Drum dance
Drum dance of Seungjeonmu called MugoMugo
Mugo is a jeongjae, Korean court dance performed with drum. It was created in the Goryeo dynasty era. It also practiced in ritual dance of Seungjeonmu...
is almost similar to Mugo of the Royal Court in terms of cloths, instruments, and dance steps, because it has the same origin. Begun in the time of King Chungnyeol (1274-1308) of Goryeo dynasty, it spread beyond the court during the Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
period and was performed at local government ceremonies throughout the country. The type developed at Tongyeong is danced by four colorfully dressed dancers, wearing flower hats. It is performed around large drum which they beat to the accompaniment of an orchestra and their own songs. Sometimes it involves 12 other performers who dance around the four wind directions.
Sword dance
In the sword dance or geommuGeommu
Geommu is a traditional sword dance practiced in Korea. Geommu is performed with special costume, dance motions, and music. The dance is known for its grace in performance. Extra emphasis is placed on the movement of the costuming, notably the sleeves, in harmony with the movements of the dancer...
(hangul
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 검무), the sword is used to absorb energy from the heavens and purify the Seungjeonmu ritual. The main purpose of the sword dance is to pray to the gods for victory in an upcoming battle. Two real swords were used in the sword dance and in the climax of the dance, the dancer would expertly twirl the swords in rapid movements.
Four women dancers wearing archery cloths and holding Hansam in both hands begin seungjeonmu by beating drums in all directions. It is characterized by 3-advances and 3-retreats and magnificence nimble movements. It uses Samhyeun Dodeuri and Taryeong among Yeongsan Hoisang as accompaniment and has characteristics of unsophisticated and antique steps and movements.
Admiral Yi Sun shin's honor
Seungjeonmu became a well-known dance when Admiral Yi Sun shin ordered his soldiers to dance the sword dance before engaging with the enemy in the Hansandaecheob naval battle, one of the greatest battles in world history. The dance was meant to uplift the fighting spirit of the soldiers, and the admiral went on to win the battle with his spirited troops.The dances were performed at various ceremonies for some 300 years after the Naval Headquarters of the Three Provinces was instituted. They were also performed at the memorial services held in Admiral Yi's honor in the spring and the autumn, on his birthday and on the anniversary of his death.
See also
- Korean DanceKorean danceDance in Korea began with shamanistic early rituals five thousand years ago and now ranges from folk dance to newly created and adapted contemporary dance.-Overview:Korean traditional dance originated in ancient shamanistic rituals thousands of years ago...
- Admiral Yi sun sin
- Korean culture
- Korean swordKorean swordFor much of Korea's history, swords were created for an individual user; thus, most Korean swords were different and did not follow a set standard model....
- Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea