Epitaph (myojimyeong), buried together with the dead, records the name, dates of birth and death, family history, and achievements of the tomb owner. Unlike those from the Goryeo period, ceramics of various types were used for epitaphs during the Joseon period. According to their shapes, they are categorized into four types of circular, ink stone, book, and bowl.

 

The special exhibition “A Mirror of Life and Death: Epitaphs of Joseon Dynasty” consists of two parts.

 

Part 1 focuses the evolution of the Korean epitaphs by showing the exhibits in chronological order. This is again divided into three sections, each of which deals with the Three Kingdom and Goryeo periods, the early Joseon period, and the late Joseon period. Part II shows various types of tomb tablets in relation to the social status of the tomb owner, which include kings and royal family, aristocratic clans, and commoners.

 

The exhibition offers a valuable opportunity as well as new and fresh perspectives for understanding the life and culture of the Joseon people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ㅇ Items on display

 

Heojae's Epitaph, engraved in 4 sides of his stone coffin Goryeo (1144)

 

 

Lee Young Yu's Epitaph Early Joseon (1481)

 

Crown prince Sado's Epitaph - Son of King Yeong Jo Joseon (1762)

 

 

Jang Woon Haeng's Epitaph Late Joseon (1850)