Page:History of Corea, ancient and modern; with description of manners and customs, language and geography (1879).djvu/350

 mj^ 322 COREAN SOCIAL CUSTOMS. Title-banner. A screen is put between the body and spec- tators, — if nothing better is procurable, a door will do. A man must be at once appointed Shangjoo, or male Chief Mourner. The eldest son, if living, or, failing him, his sou rather than his brother, is the proper Shangjoo. An elderly man, of the family surname, is also nominated to look after mourners, guests, &c. The widow of deceased, if there be one, — or failing such, the eldest son's wife, — ^becomes Joofoo, Chief Female Mourner, standing to the women in the same relation as the Shangjoo to the men. Any present of paper money &c. is to be made through a man of the same surname as deceased, i.e., by a relation by the male sida All ornaments and gay clothing must be laid aside. Wives and concubines of deceased dishevel their hair and go barefoot. But sisters, daughters, or other female relations, married into other families, do not dishevel the hair, nor uncover the feet During the first day of mourning no food is eaten by the family mourners. Sons of deceased eat nothing for three days. Grandsons, who have to mourn (Ji) a year, — and their children, who mourn nine months (Dagoovg),—esLt nothing for the same period. Those who have to mourn for five months (Siaogoong), and those for three (Saima), eat nothing for two days. All other relations present, and the neighbours come to mourn, eat, but only of the coarsest fare. But if there are old people among these more distant relations, they may be urged to partake of somewhat better food. Mourning cards "f (Foogaoahoo) are sent out to all relations and friends, inviting them to the mourning. When these friends arrive, they mourn altogether, with the Shangjoo at their head. After the mourning, they present their offerings to the dead, and enquire into the mode of his death, his illness, &c. Enquiries to her mother-in-law. t These are white or cream coloured ; red, the colour of happiness and joy, being the colour of ordinary calling and marriage cards. Mourning garments are white long robes, like Jewish sackcloth.
 * This para^^raph shows the position of woman ;— even the betrothed giil belongs