As one of the mask dances, the Hakmu(鶴舞) of the court, has a unique presence in that the dancer wearing a crane-imitated mask appears bird-like. The choreography consists of the ecological movements of the crane, attracting the attention of the au...
As one of the mask dances, the Hakmu(鶴舞) of the court, has a unique presence in that the dancer wearing a crane-imitated mask appears bird-like. The choreography consists of the ecological movements of the crane, attracting the attention of the audience. The Hakmu was performed for various royal ceremonies for a long time, playing a role in adding both fun and meaning to performances. Paying attention to the fact that the Hakmu was the Jeongjae(呈才) that consistently garnered attention in the royal court, this paper conducted a historical analysis on how the Hakmu was performed across different contexts from the Goryeo Dynasty to the Korean Empire period.
Firstly. the paper examined the symbolism of a crane, the central motif of the Hakmu. In Taoism, the crane represents a sacred and long-lived creature, while in Confucianism, it represents figures such as the gentleman and the hermit. These symbols of the crane were used to enhance the dignity of the royal family and to wish for their longevity. They were also depicted on the rank badge of civil officials, elevating their dignity. Additionally, cranes were often raised so that one could see scenes of cranes harmonizing with the lotus in ponds. It shows the characteristics of the crane, and its close relationship with the lotus.
The Hakmu, which first appeared during the Goryeo Dynasty and was integrated with Yeonhwadae(蓮花臺), was performed in the New Year’s rites. The Hakmu in the year-end rituals(歲末儺禮), which appeared in 「Bokchaun(復次韻)」 in the late Goryeo period, took on the characteristic of expelling illness with its ceremonial atmosphere and playfulness originating from farces. It came to be integrated with Yeonhwadae and Cheoyongmu(處容舞) in the Joseon Dynasty and was recorded as ‘Cheoyonghui(處容戱)’ in 『Yongjaechonghwa(慵齋叢話)』. Here, the Hakmu and Yeonhwadae were referred to as ‘Yeonhwadaehui(蓮花臺戱)’. Cheoyonghui could be found in the section 「Jeongjeon Yeoyeon Yeogi Akgong Baerip(正殿禮宴女妓樂工排立)」 of 『Akhak Gwebeom(樂學軌範)』. Cheoyonghui at the Changyeong Palace(昌慶宮) including the Hakmu was called ‘Gwan Cheoyong(觀處容)’, and it was named ‘Hak Yeonhwadae Cheoyongmu Hapseol(鶴蓮花臺處容舞合設)’, with its procedure recorded. Furthermore, the Hakmu in year-end rituals was connected to the Yeonhwadae via the Jidangpan(池塘板). Hence, the Hakmu in year-end rituals had the meaning of expelling illness based on its sacredness.
The Hakmu was also performed as part of the Gyobanggayo(敎坊歌謠) during the rituals for the return to the palace. As the farces and Chaebung(綵棚) were utilized for the Gyobanggayo since the Goryeo Dynasty, it is assumed that the Hakmu was also performed during that period. In the Joseon Dynasty, the term Gyobang also referred to Yeogi(女妓)·Changgi(娼妓)·Ginyeo(妓女),and Chaebung also appeared as Sanbung(山棚)·Chimhyangsan(沈香山)·Chimhyangsanbung(沈香山棚). Chimhyangsan was a mobile stage which connected the Hakmu with the Yeonhwadae, revealing that the Hakmu was the central work in the Gyobanggayo. During the rituals for the return to the palace, the Hakmu served to guide the king (or queen) from the mundane(俗), outside the palace, to the sacred(聖), inside the palace.
On the other hand, the King Yeonsan(燕山君) separated the Hakmu from Yeonhwadae. It was also performed in the Gogyeon, with the change of the number of dancers and their costumes through Heungcheong(興淸). Accordingly, it shows that in those days the Hakmu increasingly focused on entertainment. King Gwanghae(光海君) referred to the Hakmu as Chimhyangsan Hakmu, focusing on the images of Chimhyangsan, Cheonghak(Blue crane) and Baekhak(White crane). Here, soldiers transported Chimhyangsan so it shows that personnel for it might have been supplied by the military. Chimhyangsan Hakmu was performed at banquets and it is regarded that the Hakmu and Yeonhwadae were integrated by Chimhyangsan. In addition, Chimhyangsan Hakmu was mentioned as a male dance and detailed information about the performers was provided. However, in banquets held in the inner court, the Hakmu was performed by Yeogi. As such, during the reigns of Kings Yeonsan and Gwanghae, it was temporarily performed in an unorthodox manner with a focus on entertainment.
Subsequently, as the year-end and court return rituals declined, the Hakmu was brought to prominence in official court banquets. During the reign of King Jeongjo(正祖), it was performed at the 60th birthday celebration of his mother, Hyegyeong(惠慶宮) Hong(洪氏). Here, it is assumed to have borrowed the structure of Hak Yeonhwadae Cheoyongmu Hapseol. Therefore, from the fifth to seventh pieces, it was perforemd in order of ‘Hakmu-Yeonhwadae-Suyeonjang(壽延長)-Cheoyongmu-Cheomsumu(尖袖舞)’. The Hakmu was arranged consecutively with the Yeonhwadae, showing a similar aspect to that of Hapseol(合設). Here, the Hakmu played the role of celebrating the 60th birthday of Hyegyeong Hong and wishing for her longevity.
It was demonstrated that the Hakmu and Yeonhwadae were consistently performed following the format of Hapseol(合設) during the royal court banquets of King Gojong(高宗)'s era. The Hakmu was primarily performed at night banquets(夜宴), but sometimes at Naejinyeon(內進宴), to celebrate the longevity of royal family members, such as the queen, empress, king, and emperor, while wishing for their long and healthy lives. In addition, as the crane masks were supplied from the provinces, blue and white colors were replaced with blue and yellow, and young dancers played the role of performers. The Hakmu, which was in close connection with Yeonhwadae, was performed in year-end and court return rituals in the early Joseon period. On the other hand, it was performed in royal court banquets in the late Joseon period.
The form of the crane mask can be shown from the『Akhak Gwebeom』. A thick rope(熟繩) was tied to the beak of the crane, to express movements such as shaking, turning, and pecking. The main materials for the crane were 3: feathers from a white goose, wing feathers from a stork, and tail feathers from a black chicken. The white crane had white feathers, a blue beak, and red bottoms, while the blue crane had blue feathers, a green beak, and blue bottoms. These differentiated color combinations allowed the crane to take on the appearance of a mythical creature. Additionally, the eye holes at the chest and under the wings are thought to be related to the restricted movement of the dance.
The movements of the Hakmu show a series of actions aimed at pecking open a vessel-shaped lotus, which is central to the performance and plays a role in connecting with Yeonhwadae. It can be shown from 『Akhak Gwebeom』, Yeonhyang uigwe(宴享儀軌) and Jeongjaemudoholgi(呈才舞圖忽記), all of which describe the same procedure. Hence, it is regarded that the Hakmu focused on the embodied crane's motions. However, songs were not given much emphasis and Byeogyeonlonghyosa(碧煙籠曉詞) from 『Akhak Gwebeom』 disappeared thereafter. For the accompaniment, Boheojaryeong(步虛子令) was used in the early Joseon period and it transitioned to Yeominrak(與民樂), Hyangdanggyoju(鄕唐校奏) later on. Furthermore, it is possible to see the dance troupe from the icon of the Hakmu in 『Wonhaeng Eulmyojeongri Eugye(園幸乙卯整理儀軌)』, which appears to be a device to present the grand performance.
As such, the Hakmu continued to be performed in various royal court events from the late Goryeo period to the era of the Korean Empire. From the Goryeo Dynasty to the early Joseon period, it was performed in seasonal and court return rituals. Also, during the reigns of Kings Yeonsan and Gwanghae, it was temporarily performed in an unorthodox manner and was adopted for official royal court banquets during the reigns of King Jeongjo and King Gojong. The Hakmu, characterized by its playfulness, sacredness, and nobility, acted as a performance that aligned with the character of various court rituals. Depending on circumstances, it had the meaning of expelling illness, guided the king (or queen) into the sacred space[入闕], celebrated the longevity of royal family members and prayed for their long and healthy lives. In other words, the Hakmu has significance in that it was the rare mask dance in the court, playing various roles and attributing meanings in the court rituals.