National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Onggijang refers to the skill of making earthenware pots and jars, or to an artisan with such a skill. Koreans have used earthenware pots and jars for thousands of years. The place where an earthenware artisan worked was called Onggijeom, which was divided into a workshop and a kiln. Traditional pots and jars, along with porcelain items, were the main items produced in private kilns. Pots and jars were made after the application of caustic soda to the surface of clay-made objects and putting them through a pre-firing stage. Just 40 or 50 years ago, there were many places selling traditional pots and jars across the country. Their number stood at about 500 when surveys were made in 1968 and 1969. However, they have been pushed aside by their machine-made western cousins. Traditionally, caustic soda was used as glazing in the production of pots and jars. Recently, it was replaced by a lead oxide named Gwangmyeongdan. With the use of lead glazing, the quality of pots and jars declined and the number of Onggijeom decreased to about 250 by 1984 and to less than 199 by 1989. Stainless steel and plastic goods have pushed traditional pots and jars out of the market.

National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Earthenware is divided into ceramics and porcelain, depending on how clay-made objects are baked. An object mixed with white clay and baked at a high temperature is called china or porcelain. Sagijang refers to this skill or to an officially recognized artisan with such a skill. Ceramics and porcelain, particularly blue porcelain made during the Goryeo Period (877 – 1394) and thereafter are recognized as the best in the world. During the Joseon Period (1392 – 1910), Saongwon (Palace Kitchen Management) was in charge of porcelain production. Its branch in Gyeonggi-do made special objects to be used by the royal family. The government-run porcelain kilns were closed toward the late Joseon Period, following which porcelain artisans started private businesses in Mungyeong, Goisan, and Danyang. As for the process of china production, first of all, sandy soil is put into water to remove foreign materials. A desired form of is made with the soil, using a foot-operated spinning wheel. The object is then put into a kiln for pre-firing. Glaze is applied to the pre-fired object, and it is again put into a kiln for second firing. Experts say that grayish-blue-powdered celadon of Joseon evokes a folksy and lively feeling, while white porcelain evokes the character of a gracious scholar.

Kyrgyz people worshipped natural objects from antiquity, deeming that it is in the nature the visible and invisible worlds may coexist harmoniously. One of such practices is the Obo ceremony. It is a worshipping practice that was spread in a pre-Islamic period, when people equally worshipped the Sun and the Earth. It was understood that the Sun represents the fatherly beginning, and the Earth represents the motherly one. Sacred sites are visited by people, who need to be treated from illnesses, both physical, and spiritual; or those who want to make a prayer in memory of the dead relatives. Other widely spread practices are zikir chaluu and shamanic ritual korum zikir. In addition, other varieties of spiritual practices include talma bii and oiun. Roles of bakhshi (in Turkic tradition) and dubana (Muslim dervishes) are merged in many ways in Kyrgyz practice. Zikir chaluu represents emotional prayer, which is made because of pragmatic reasons, and as a rule, people ask for prosperity, welfare, healing, fertility or peace. Fire purification ceremony sham is performed often along with zikir chaluu during festive rituals as the Kyrgyz believe that the spiritual and visible worlds are unified in the fire.

National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea In olden days, it was customary for the founder of a kingdom to hold a sacrificial rite for ancestors and then a rite to the deities of earth and grain, praying for a good harvest. Upon founding the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo built Jongmyo Shrine to the east of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Sajikdan Altar to the west of the palace to pray for the peace of the people and good harvests. He also erected Sajikan Altars in the provinces. At Sajikdan Altar, mortuary tablets were placed at the north, and altars for deities of earth and grain were placed on the east and the west. A sacrificial rite was held regularly in February and August on the lunar calendar. A rite of praying for rain was held when there was a long spell of drought. Nowadays, the sacrificial rite is held in the following order: Jeonpye (offering silk satin as present), Yeongsillye (greeting the spirits), Choheollye (first obeisance), Aheollye (second obeisance), Jongheollye (last obeisance), Eumbongnye (partaking of sacrificial food), Mangye (burning of ritual paper). Sajik Daeje is an event that features a combination of music, dance, food, robes, and ceremonial utensils used in a formal sacrificial rite. By 1894 (the 31st year of King Gojong’s reign), Sajik Daeje was replaced by a rite named Singwanje. In 1908 (the 2nd year of King Sunjong’s reign), Singwanje was brought to an end. In 1988, Sajik Daeje was restored based on testimony made by the late Yi Eun-pyo, who retained the skill needed for carrying out Jongmyo Jerye (Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine). The rite has since been held by the Sajik Daeje Committee within the Jeonju Yi Clan Association.