earticle

한국어

The investiture documents (chaekbong munseo, 冊封文書) issued by the Ming dynasty to the kings of Joseon no longer survive in their original form. However, their overall content can be traced through two compilations: the Comprehensive Records of the Successive Rulers (Yeolseongjijangtonggi, 列聖誌狀通紀) and the Compilation in Remembrance of the Emperor’s Grace (Chugamhwang-eunpyon, 追感皇恩編). Both were compiled and printed under the royal order of King Yeongjo. This study analyzes the structure, terminology, and style of the Ming investiture documents preserved in these works. It also examines how the documents were received, preserved, and managed, using official records. The two compilations contain investiture and condolence documents sent by Ming emperors to Joseon kings. These texts were discovered and arranged during the compilation of the Yeolseongjijangtonggi and are mostly based on transcriptions found in the Annals. While the original documents are lost, key phrases and related information—such as the dates of reception, the names of envoys, and how the texts were recorded—give us a clear picture of their content and history. The compilations show that investiture ceremonies followed a standardized practice. Three types of documents were issued together: the Imperial Edict(詔書), Imperial Decree(勅書), and Imperial Patent of Appointment(誥命). In some cases, additional grants(補賜) or posthumous honors(追封) were also given. The ritual protocols(儀註) provide details on how these ceremonies were organized and carried out in practice. Finally, the works of the Yeongjo period not only brought order to Ming-era documents but also established special repositories, such as Gyeongbonggak(敬奉閣) and Daebodan(大報壇), to preserve and enshrine them.