Jongmyo Jerye-ak Music

Jongmyo Royal Ancestor Shrine
Seoul, Korea

The orchestra of Jongmyo Jerye-ak, or Jerye music, is shown in the accompanying photographs. Instruments include stone chimes, clapperless bells, drums, and various wind instruments; these come from an ancient tradition in China that goes all the way back to the bronze age. During the historic period in China, this configuration of instruments was closely associated with Confucian ritual. For additional information and video, see Jongmyo Daeje on the Jongmyo.net website.