Page:History of Corea, ancient and modern; with description of manners and customs, language and geography (1879).djvu/363

 GEAVK 335 instead of on paper, and a " good "' or auspicious * day is chosen to open the grave. The Shangjoo, in the early morning, weeps and wails in the house ; then leading the various managers and the geomancer to the site of the grave, he takes three of the seven plum sticks, puts them in the ground, one at each end, and one in the centre of the plot of ground, and the other four at the corners. At the left (east) of the central pin the recitators take their stand, facing south, and put down spirits, fruit, meat, and soup before them. They now, as always, in their ordinary garments, step in front (south) of the central pin, — the meeting point of all the lines, the site of the grave, and which is called Shun wei, " the seat or throne of the spuit " ;— the managers standing behind them. They twice bow to the ground, and all together ; and then wash their hands. The recitators then step before the incense table, which is at the side of the grave, — and kneeling, bum incense, and pour out the spirits in the vessel on the ground in front of the burning incense. Paper is being burnt in a large pan at the same tima They then twice bow to the ground. More spirits are placed before the grave, and the chanter'f' goes to the left of the recitators, and facing eastwards, kneels and recites a chant ; after concluding which, the recitators again bow twice. The chanter and all the managers do the same after. When these finish, the Shangjoo approaches before the grave, weeping and wailing, and twice bows to the ground. If there are graves of ancestors in that place already, the Shangjoo sacrifices before them also, informing them of the new arrival The grave is then dug, and a layer of lime, covered with sand or earth (§ lime, J sand), is strewed over the bottom. If the deceased is a second, or secondary wife of a man buried there Corea, believe that ** every day is alike," yet all are subject, as were the Bomans, to the choice of lucky days. t In distinction from the literates whom we caU recitators. This chanter recites several pieces of composition, and is a son of deceased, if he can act ; if he cannot, one of the recitators acts.
 * Though many scholars, and the more intelligent of the people In China and