渤海朝의 文物典章과 樂舞

Balhaejo’s Munmuljeonjang and Music & Dance

In the 8th century, Balhaejo in Manchuria that used to be a cultural wasteland developed into a leading civilized nation in Northeast Asia also called Haedongseongguk , which means the flourishing land in the East , accepting brilliant civilization and culture from the Tang Dynasty. Wisely coexisting with the Tang Dynasty which was the world s most powerful country at that time, it grew up as the greatest cultural country by actively accepting the Tang Dynasty style civilization and cultures. It established Zhuzagam(Balhae s Highest Educational Institution) to nurture young people and also sent students to Tang s Gukjagam to let them learn the Tang s advanced scholarship, culture, civilization, and even music and dance, including ceremonial music, in order to enjoy a higher class culture. In the early 10th century, the Khitan based in the Liao-ho region became a great power and stood in contraposition to Balhaejo. Then, the Khitan using force conquered Balhaejo indulging in enjoying their civilized sweet life at a stroke. In fact, it was not uncommon for civilized countries to get defeated by savage tribes when they are in conflict with each other, just like in case of the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties defeated by Germanic, Mongolian, and Jurchen tribes. Some historians say Balhaejo was ruined because they indulged in music, dance, and parties. Balhaejo s music and dance also spread throughout China and Japan. In those days, Balhaeak(Balhae s music) was almost at the highest level in East Asia. Balhaeak was regarded as Sinak(新樂), which means a new kind of music, particularly created from Goguryeoak(Goguryeo music, 高句麗樂) and Yeojinak(Jurchen music, 女眞樂). <Mangsikmu, 莽式舞>, as well as <Dapchu(A kind of Balhae style dance, 踏鎚)> and <Dapga(A kind of Balhae style singing, 踏歌>, was also one kind of <Balhae Sinak, 渤海新樂>. Balhaeak(Balhae s music) continued by being succeeded by Japan and the Liao and Jin Dynasties, while its relationship with Silla that had got along well with each other for hundreds of years was waning. After the Tang Dynasty collapsed, Balhae also went to the ground soon. Around this time, Gung Wang(Gung Ye) established the name of an era and also announced the designation of King as Emperor, but was Guksa really unaware of this? Or intentionally disregarded it?