Vessels for Memorial Service for Korean Kings

Jongmyo Shrine is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the perpetuation of the memory of the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897).  The ceremony will take place tomorrow on the first Sunday in May.

The shrine is the oldest surviving royal Confucian shrine and the annual ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established in the 14th century. 

Jongmyo is adjacent to Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces. The main buildings of Jongmyo were constructed in 1394 when Taejo, first king of Joseon Dynasty, moved the capital to Seoul. It was destroyed by fire in the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98), then rebuilt in 1608.