530 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
of the Royal Capital” (“Hwasan”); and the third, “Song of the New Royal
Ancestral Shrine” (“Sinmyo”).
When the royal carriage arrived at Unjong Street (Unjongga), female
musicians of the Music Bureau sang songs and performed dances. The king
watched them, his royal carriage stopping no fewer than three times.
Arriving at the South Gate (Omun) and the tented area reserved for the
king, he proclaimed a royal decree:
“The king announces as follows: Though I lack ability, thanks to the
accumulated virtues of my ancestors and the support of the officials and the
people, I have laid down the foundation of the new dynasty and become
the ruler of the eastern kingdom [Chosŏn Korea], establishing a new capital
in Hanyang.
“In the ninth month of the Ŭlhae year (1395), the Royal Ancestral Shrine
was completed, and the spirit tablets of four generations of my immediate
ancestors were enshrined: King Mok and Queen Hyo, my great- great-
grandfather and great- great- grandmother, King Ik and Queen Chŏng,
my great- grandfather and great- grandmother, King To and Queen Kyŏng,
my grandfather and grandmother, and King Hwan and Queen Ŭi, my father
and mother.
On the Ŭlmi day [5th day] of the tenth month, I purified myself and per-
sonally performed the ritual ceremony of offering sacrifices and gifts to the
spirits, and the ceremony was carried out in accordance with propriety and
in the most solemn manner.
“Since I believe that the Royal Ancestral Shrine is the great founda tion of
the state, it should have an impressive appearance and the sacrifices offered
to the spirits should be clean and appropriate. My ancestors have prepared a
way for me, and in my generation, a family turned into a kingdom.
“Looking at the great ceremony at this time, I find myself deeply moved
and gratified. Hence, I intend to do the people a generous favor and pro-
claim a new decree of amnesty for the people of our nation. The crimes
committed before the dawn of the fifth day of the tenth month of the twenty-
eight years of the reign of Hongwu, except those subject to capital punish-
ment by either beheading or hanging, will all be forgiven regardless of
whether they are known or have been adjudicated.
“Ah! Since my ancestors saw the lives of people saved, they will bless us
more, and since all the people shared the joy, they will attain the state of
virtue and longevity together. Therefore, I announce a list of things that
must be accomplished in the days to come.