Gongryeojeon

Photo taken by the author

Gongryeojeon are a type of building that acts as a ritual space for use by a community. They are often found in villages and in poorer communities in larger settlements. They are supported collectively by the community and can be used by anyone in it. Aside from a space available for ritual use, the gongryeojeon is also maintained with a collection of tools and items needed for these acts and a shrine for local spirits like the guardians that protect in Shinseung.
The gongryeojeon is most often used for family rituals like memorial, coming of age, or bonding ceremonies since poorer families may not have the space or resources to do the needed rituals at home. In the case of holidays or important times for the community, the space is also used for community rituals such as honoring local spirits and ancestors. In smaller or poorer communities lacking the wherewithal to maintain or construct dedicated facilitates, they are also used for other community functions such as being a temple for holy people to hold services and schools for younger folk.

Purpose / Function

The origins of the Gongryeojeon are likely the original communal shrines for local deities that were also used for local community events like councils. As religious and political ideas evolved and dedicated spaces for those functions were created in more densely populated areas, they lost this role and became more of a community ritual center. However, they maintain this original use in the smaller and more isolated parts Gyerim's various kingdoms.

Architecture

The original gongryeojeon were constructed from wood or a mixture of wood and stone to create an open pavilion platform. The pavilion is surrounded by a field or natural space demarcated by a fence marking out a sacred space within which certian actions are forbidden, though the specifics vary from one culture to another today. If possible, the gongryeojeon were often constructed in a prominent location like on the top of a hill or on the edge of the river's floodplain. This surrounding area was used for observers to the rituals taking place that would not be able to fit on the platform. A small building was also maintained near the gongryeojeon to act as the storage building for the ritual items, community relics, and sometimes the community treasury.
Today, the construction of gongreyojeon vary significantly from one culture and community to another. However, they all maintain the ritual building, a raised platform for visibility community rituals (which may also be the building itself), a storage space for sacred items, and a sacred space demarcated by a wall or fence.

Cover: an example of an early Baekhae gongryeojeon as seen through the gate of the sacred fence with a more modern pavilion behind it.

Type

Room, Religious, Shrine