Sungmojeon Shrine

Sukmojeon is a shrine within Donghaksa Temple on Gyeryongsan Mountain, where the memorial tablets of King Danjong of Joseon, the ill-fated king, and Queen Jeongsun are enshrined. In front of Sukmojeon are enshrined the memorial tablets of the loyal and righteous, including the three ministers Hwangbo In, Kim Jong-seo, and Jeong Bun, who were unjustly killed in the Gyeyujeongnan; royal family members such as Grand Prince Anpyeong and Grand Prince Geumseong; the Six Martyred Ministers and the Six Surviving Ministers who were executed after being discovered plotting the restoration of Danjong; and many other wronged spirits and righteous people who met their deaths. It is said that in 1455, when King Sejo deposed Danjong and ascended the throne, Maewoldang Kim Si-seup shaved his head, came to Donghaksa, and wailed. The following year, when the Six Martyred Ministers were beheaded, he collected their bodies, buried them on the hill of present-day Noryangjin in Seoul, returned to Donghaksa, built an altar, and performed rites. Currently, inside Sukmojeon, Danjong and his queen Jeongsun are enshrined; in the east chamber, 47 figures including Eom Hong-do; and in the west chamber, 47 figures including the Six Martyred Ministers. It is also famous for the Sukmojeon Daeje, a traditional rite held in spring and winter by the Sukmohoe corporation. The Sukmojeon Daeje began with the Chohonje that Ya-eun Giljae, a loyal subject of Goryeo in the early Joseon period, held west of Donghaksa for the kings and his teachers of Goryeo. In 1399 (the 1st year of King Jeongjong), Master Yu Geumheon built an altar and called the spirits of the Goryeo kings and Poeun and Mogeun; in 1400, Yi Jeong-gan took office as magistrate, erected a shrine, additionally enshrined Ya-eun Giljae, and named it Samgungak. In 1456 (the 2nd year of King Sejo), Kim Si-seup built the Chohondan for the Six Martyred Ministers beside Samgungak; in 1457, King Sejo visited Donghaksa, saw the Chohondan, was moved, and had rites performed for over 100 unjustly killed officials and the Goryeo kings on eight rolls of silk. A year later, he sent down an additional list of Danjong, Grand Prince Anpyeong, and over 100 other officials, so that a total of over 200 people were honored. The rites were discontinued in later generations, but in 1963 the Sukmohoe was founded, the enshrinement subjects and ritual procedures were reorganized, and every year the Spring Rite is held on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month, when Kim Si-seup first performed the rite, and the Winter Rite on the 24th day of the 10th lunar month, when Danjong was put to death.

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