Photo Gallery
Cheonjingung - 천진궁 (天眞宮) (built 1665 onward)
Cheongjingung was constructed in 1665 as part of the Gongjinwan and functioned as a lodging place for officials. But from 1772 onward it was used to store the ancestral tablets of dynastic founders throughout Korean history. Tablets of the founding kings of Buyeo, Goguryeo, Gaya, and Goryeo dynasties were stored on the left wall, and the tablets of the founding kings of Silla, Baekje, Balhae, and Joseon dynasties were stored on the right. The tablet of Dangun, the legendary founder of the Korean people, was placed at the center.
Because the site is redolent with Korean history, the Japanese government took control of the building during the colonial era and converted it into a prison. The ancestral tablets that had lined the walls were buried in the earth.
In 1957, the Korean government extensively renovated the site and gave the building its present name. After that time, every spring and autumn two ritual ceremonies have been held each year on the 15th day of the third month and the 3rd day of the tenth month (lunar calendar) in honor of the ancient dynastic founders.
According to GPS readings taken by the author, the site is approximately at 35 29.54178' N, 128 45.34003' E (WGS84 map datum). Address: 경남 밀양시 내일동.
(Designated Tangible Cultural Property #117).
Bibliography:
All images copyright 2006 Timothy M. Ciccone
Kang, Young-Hwan. Hangukui Geonchuk Munhwajae 7: Gyeongnampyeon (Architectural Heritage of Korea v. 7, Gyeongnam Province)
Kimoondang Publishers, 1999. Korea
Kim, Hyo-hyeong. Dapsa Yeohaengui Giljab-i 14: Gyeongnam (Travel survey guidebook of Gyeongnam Province)
Dolbegae Publishers, 2002. Korea
Korean Office of Cultural Properties

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