1
嘉禮一
Part One: Auspicious Rites
2
登極儀大朝儀常朝儀皇太子親王朝儀諸王來朝儀諸司朝覲儀中宮受朝儀朝賀東宮儀大宴儀上尊號徽號儀
Enthronement; Grand Audience; Regular Audience; Crown Prince's Personal Audience; Princes' Coming to Court; Various Offices' Audience; Inner Palace Reception; Congratulations at the Eastern Palace; Grand Banquet; Bestowal of Honorific Titles
3
二曰嘉禮。 行於朝廷者,曰朝會,曰宴饗,曰上尊號、徽號,曰冊命,曰經筵,曰表箋。 行於辟雍者,曰視學。 自天子達於庶人者,曰冠,曰婚。 行於天下者,曰巡狩,曰詔赦,曰鄉飲酒。 舉其大者書之。 儀之同者,則各附於其類云。
The second category of rites is the Auspicious Rites. Those performed at court include court assemblies, banquets, the bestowal of honorific titles and epithets, investiture edicts, the imperial lecture, and the presentation of memorials and petitions. Those performed at the Imperial Academy are known as the inspection of learning. From the Son of Heaven down to commoners, these are the capping ceremony and marriage. Those performed throughout the realm include the imperial tour, amnesty edicts, and the village drinking ceremony. Only the major ceremonies are recorded here. Ceremonies that share the same form are grouped under their respective categories.
4
登極儀
The Enthronement Rite
5
即位日,先告祀天地。 禮成,即帝位於南郊。 丞相率百官以下及都民耆老,拜賀舞蹈,呼萬歲者三。 具鹵簿導從,詣太廟,上追尊四世冊寶,告祀社稷。 還,具袞冕,御奉天殿,百官上表賀。
On the day of accession, the emperor first announces the event and offers sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. When the rite is finished, he assumes the imperial throne at the Southern Suburb. The chancellor leads all officials and the capital's elderly residents in bowing, offering congratulations, and performing the ritual dance, shouting "Long live the emperor!" three times. Accompanied by the full imperial escort, he proceeds to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to bestow posthumous honorific titles and seals upon four generations of ancestors, then announces sacrifices at the altars of soil and grain. Upon returning, he dons full imperial regalia and takes his seat in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where all officials present memorials of congratulation.
6
先期,侍儀司設表案于丹墀內道之西北,設丞相以下拜位於內道東西,每等異位,重行北面。 捧表、展表、宣表官位於表案西,東向。 糾儀御史二人於表案南,東西向。 宿衛鎮撫二人於東西陛下,護衛百戶二十四人於其南,稍後。 知班二人,於文武官拜位北,東西向。 通贊、贊禮二人於知班北,通贊西,贊禮東。 引文武班四人於文武官拜位北,稍後,東西向。 引殿前班二人於引文武班南。 舉表案二人於引文武班北。 舉殿上表案二人於西陛下,東向。 丹陛上設殿前班指揮司官三人,東向。 宣徽院官三人,西向。 儀鸞司官於殿中門之左右,護衛千戶八人於殿東西門,俱東西向。 鳴鞭四人於殿前班之南,北向。 將軍六人於殿門左右,天武將軍四人於陛上四隅,俱東西向。 殿上,尚寶司設寶案於正中,侍儀司設表案於寶案南。 文武侍從兩班於殿上東西,文起居注、給事中、殿中侍御史、尚寶卿,武懸刀指揮,東西向。 受表官於文侍從班南,西向。 內贊二人於受表官之南,捲簾將軍二人簾前,俱東西向。
In advance, the Ceremonial Service places the memorial table in the northwest corner of the inner path on the red steps, and arranges bowing positions for the chancellor and all officials below him along the east and west sides of the inner path, with each rank in its own place in double rows facing north. The officials who present, unfold, and proclaim the memorial stand to the west of the memorial table, facing east. Two censorial officials charged with correcting ritual deportment stand south of the memorial table, one facing east and one facing west. Two garrison commanders stand on the east and west stairways, with twenty-four guard company commanders positioned to their south, slightly to the rear. Two officials who direct the ranks stand north of the civil and military officials' bowing positions, one facing east and one facing west. The general announcer and the ritual announcer stand north of the rank directors, with the general announcer on the west and the ritual announcer on the east. Four ushers for the civil and military ranks stand north of the officials' bowing positions, slightly to the rear, one pair facing east and one facing west. Two ushers for the hall-front rank stand south of the civil and military rank ushers. Two officials who carry the memorial table stand north of the civil and military rank ushers. Two officials who carry the hall memorial table stand on the west stairway, facing east. On the red steps, three commandery officials of the hall-front rank are positioned, facing east. Three officials of the Xuanhui Court stand facing west. Officials of the Ceremonial Guard stand to the left and right of the central hall gate, and eight guard battalion commanders are posted at the east and west hall gates, all facing east or west. Four whip-crackers stand south of the hall-front rank, facing north. Six generals stand on either side of the hall gate, and four celestial martial generals are posted at the four corners of the steps, all facing east or west. Inside the hall, the Imperial Seals Office places the seal table at the center, and the Ceremonial Service places the memorial table to its south. Civil and military attendants are arranged in two columns on the east and west sides of the hall: on the civil side, the diarist, supervising secretary, palace censor, and director of imperial seals; on the military side, the saber-bearing commanders—all facing east or west. The official who receives the memorial stands south of the civil attendant column, facing west. Two inner announcers stand south of the memorial-receiving official, and two curtain-rolling generals are posted before the curtain, all facing east or west.
7
是日,拱衛司陳鹵簿,列甲士於午門外,列旗仗,設五輅於奉天門外,侍儀舍人二,舉表案入。 鼓初嚴,百官朝服立午門外。 通贊、贊禮、宿衛官、諸侍衛及尚寶卿侍從官入。 鼓三嚴,丞相以下入。 皇帝袞冕升御座,大樂鼓吹振作。 樂止,將軍捲簾,尚寶卿置寶於案。 拱衛司鳴鞭,引班導百官入丹墀拜位。 初行樂作,至位樂止。 知班贊班,贊禮贊拜。 樂作,四拜,興。 樂止。 捧表以下官由殿西門入。 內贊贊進表。 捧表官跪捧。 受表官搢笏,跪受,置於案。 出笏,興,退立,東向。 內贊贊宣表。 宣表官前,搢笏,跪,展表官搢笏,同跪。 宣訖,展表官出笏,以表復於案,俱退。 宣表官俯伏興。 俱出殿西門,復位。 贊禮贊拜。 樂作,四拜,樂止。 搢笏,鞠躬三,舞蹈。 拱手加額,呼萬歲者三。 出笏,俯伏興。 樂作,四拜,賀畢。 遂遣官冊拜皇后,冊立皇太子,以即位詔告天下。
On that day, the Imperial Guard displays the full ceremonial escort, arrays armored soldiers outside the Meridian Gate, lines up flags and regalia, sets out the five imperial carriages outside the Gate of Supreme Harmony, and two ceremonial attendants carry the memorial table inside. At the first drum signal, all officials in court dress take their places outside the Meridian Gate. The general announcer, ritual announcer, garrison officials, various guards, and attendant officials including the director of imperial seals enter the hall. At the third drum signal, the chancellor and all officials below him enter. The emperor, dressed in full regalia, ascends the imperial throne as great music and wind instruments strike up. The music ceases, the general rolls up the curtain, and the director of imperial seals places the imperial seal on the table. The Imperial Guard cracks the whip, and the rank ushers lead all officials to their bowing positions on the red courtyard. Music plays as they begin to move, and ceases once they reach their positions. The rank director calls the ranks to order, and the ritual announcer announces the bow. Music plays; they perform four bows and rise. The music ceases. The memorial-presenting officials and those assisting them enter through the west hall gate. The inner announcer announces the presentation of the memorial. The memorial-presenting official kneels and holds up the memorial. The memorial-receiving official inserts his tablet, kneels to receive the memorial, and places it on the table. He withdraws his tablet, rises, steps back, and stands facing east. The inner announcer announces the proclamation of the memorial. The memorial-proclaiming official steps forward, inserts his tablet, and kneels; the memorial-unfolding official inserts his tablet and kneels beside him. When the proclamation is finished, the unfolding official withdraws his tablet, returns the memorial to the table, and both withdraw. The proclaiming official prostrates himself and then rises. They all exit through the west hall gate and return to their positions. The ritual announcer announces the bow. Music plays; they perform four bows, and the music ceases. They insert their tablets, bow three times, and perform the ritual dance. They cup their hands and touch their foreheads, shouting "Long live the emperor!" three times. They withdraw their tablets, prostrate themselves, and rise. Music plays; they perform four final bows, and the congratulations are complete. The emperor then dispatches officials to invest the empress and crown prince by edict, and proclaims the accession edict to the realm.
8
成祖即位倉猝,其議不詳。 仁宗即位,先期,司設監陳御座於奉天門,欽天監設定時鼓,尚寶司設寶案,教坊司設中和韶樂,設而不作。 是日早,遣官告天地宗社,皇帝具孝服告几筵。 至時,鳴鐘鼓,設鹵簿。 皇帝袞冕,御奉天門。 百官朝服,入午門。 鴻臚寺導執事官行禮,請升御座。 皇帝由中門出。 升座,鳴鞭。 百官上表,行禮,頒詔,俱如儀。 宣宗以後,儲宮嗣立者並同。 正德十六年,世宗入承大統。 先期造行殿於宣武門外,南向。 設帷幄御座,備翼善冠服及鹵簿大駕以候。 至期,百官郊迎。 駕入行殿,行四拜禮。 明日,由大明門入。 省詔草,改年號,素服詣大行几筵謁告。 畢,設香案奉天殿丹陛上。 皇帝袞冕,行告天地禮。 詣奉先殿、奉慈殿謁告,仍詣大行几筵、慈壽皇太后、莊肅皇后前各行禮,遂御華蓋殿。 百官朝服入。 傳旨免賀,五拜三稽首。 鴻臚寺官請升殿,帝由中門出御奉天殿。 鳴鞭,贊拜,頒詔,如制。
The Yongle Emperor's accession was hurried, and the deliberations on its rites are not recorded in detail. For the Hongxi Emperor's accession, the Directorate of Palace Equipment placed the imperial throne at the Gate of Supreme Harmony in advance; the Directorate of Astronomy set the timekeeping drums; the Imperial Seals Office prepared the seal table; and the Music Office set out the Harmonious Imperial Music—but did not play it. Early that morning, officials were dispatched to announce the accession to Heaven, Earth, and the ancestral altars, while the emperor in mourning dress made his announcement before the deceased emperor's spirit tablet. At the appointed hour, bells and drums sounded and the full ceremonial escort was deployed. The emperor, dressed in full regalia, took his seat at the Gate of Supreme Harmony. All officials in court dress entered through the Meridian Gate. The Court of State Ceremonial led the officiating officials through the rites and requested that the emperor ascend the throne. The emperor emerged through the central gate. He ascended the throne, and the whip was cracked. The officials presented their memorials, performed the prescribed rites, and the accession edict was promulgated—all according to established ceremony. From the Xuande Emperor onward, heirs apparent who succeeded to the throne followed the same procedure. In the sixteenth year of the Zhengde reign, the Jiajing Emperor entered the capital to succeed to the throne. A traveling hall was constructed in advance outside the Xuanwu Gate, facing south. A curtained imperial throne was set up, along with the Yishan crown and robes and the full ceremonial escort and grand carriage, all prepared in waiting. On the appointed day, all officials went out to the suburbs to welcome him. The imperial carriage entered the traveling hall, where the four-bow rite was performed. The following day, he entered through the Gate of Great Brightness. He reviewed the draft edict, changed the reign title, and in plain robes went to announce before the deceased emperor's spirit tablet. When this was finished, an incense table was set on the red steps of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The emperor, dressed in full regalia, performed the rite of announcing his accession to Heaven and Earth. He proceeded to the Hall of Imperial Ancestors and the Hall of Imperial Consorts to make his announcements, then performed rites before the deceased emperor's spirit tablet, before Empress Dowager Cishou, and before Empress Zhuangsu in turn, and then took his seat in the Hall of Imperial Canopy. All officials entered in court dress. An edict was transmitted exempting full congratulations; the officials performed five bows and three prostrations instead. An official of the Court of State Ceremonial requested that the emperor ascend the hall; the emperor emerged through the central gate and took his seat in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The whip was cracked, the bows were announced, and the edict was promulgated—all as prescribed.
9
大朝儀
The Grand Audience Rite
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漢正會禮,夜漏未盡七刻,鐘鳴受賀。 公卿以下執贄來庭,二千石以上升殿,稱萬歲,然後宴饗。 晉《咸寧注》,有晨賀晝會之分。 唐制,正旦、冬至、五月朔、千秋節,咸受朝賀。 宋因之。
In the Han dynasty's New Year's assembly rite, before the night water-clock had run seven marks, the bell sounded and the emperor received congratulations. Dukes, ministers, and officials below them came to court bearing gifts; those of two-thousand-bushel rank and above ascended the hall, shouted "Long live the emperor!", and only then was the banquet held. The Jin dynasty's Xianning Commentary distinguishes between morning congratulations and the daytime assembly. Under the Tang system, the emperor received court congratulations on New Year's Day, the winter solstice, the first day of the fifth month, and the Longevity Festival. The Song dynasty followed the same practice.
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明太祖洪武元年九月,定正旦朝會儀,與登極略相仿。 其後屢詔更定,立爲中制。 凡正旦冬至,先日,尚寶司設御座於奉天殿,及寶案於御座東,香案于丹陛南。 教坊司設中和韶樂於殿內東西,北向。 翌明,錦衣衛陳鹵簿、儀仗于丹陛及丹墀,設明扇於殿內,列車輅于丹墀。 鳴鞭四人,左右北向。 教坊司陳大樂於丹陛東西,北向,儀禮司設同文、玉帛兩案于丹陛東。 金吾衛設護衛官於殿內及丹陛,陳甲士于丹墀至午門外,錦衣衛設將軍于丹陛至奉天門外,陳旗幟於奉天門外,俱東西列。 典牧所陳仗馬犀象於文、武樓南,東西向。 司晨郎報時位於內道東,近北。 糾儀御史二,位於丹墀北,內贊二,位於殿內,外贊二,位於丹墀北,傳制、宣表等官位於殿內,俱東西向。 鼓初嚴,百官朝服,班午門外。 次嚴,由左、右掖門入,詣丹墀東西,北向立。 三嚴,執事官詣華蓋殿,帝具袞冕升座,鐘聲止。 儀禮司奏執事官行禮,贊五拜,畢,奏請升殿。 駕興,中和樂作。 尚寶司捧寶前行,導駕官前導,扇開簾卷,寶置於案,樂止。 鳴鞭報時,對贊唱排班,班齊。 贊禮唱鞠躬,大樂作。 贊四拜,興,樂上。 典儀唱進表,樂作。 給事中二人,詣同文案前,導引序班舉案由東門入,置殿中,樂止。 內贊唱宣表目。 宣表目官跪,宣訖,俯伏,興。 唱宣表,展表官取表,宣表官至簾前,外贊唱,衆官皆跪。 宣表訖,內外皆唱,俯伏,興。 序班舉表案於殿東,外贊唱衆官皆跪。 代致詞官跪丹陛中,致詞云:「具官臣某,茲遇正旦,三陽開泰,萬物鹹新。」 冬至則云:「律應黃種,日當長至。」 「恭惟皇帝陛下,膺乾納祜,奉天永昌。」 賀畢,外贊唱,衆官皆俯伏,興。 樂作,四拜,興。 樂止。 傳制官跪奏傳制,由東門出,至丹陛,東向立,稱有制。 贊禮唱,跪,宣制。 正旦則云:「履端之慶,與卿等同之。」 冬至則云:「履長之慶,與卿等同之。」 萬壽聖節則致詞曰:「具官臣某,欽遇皇帝陛下聖誕之辰,謹率文武官僚敬祝萬歲壽。」 不傳制。 贊禮唱俯伏,興。 樂止。 贊搢笏,鞠躬三,舞蹈。 贊跪唱山呼,百官拱手加額曰:「萬歲。」; 唱山呼,曰:「萬歲。」; 唱再山呼,曰:「萬萬歲」。 凡呼萬歲,樂工軍校齊聲應之。 贊出笏,俯伏,興,樂作。 贊四拜,興,樂止。 儀禮司奏禮畢,中和樂作。 鳴鞭,駕興。 尚寶官捧寶,導駕官前導,至華蓋殿,樂止。 百官以次出。
In the ninth month of the first year of the Hongwu reign, the Ming founder established the New Year's court assembly rite, which broadly resembled the enthronement rite. It was subsequently revised by imperial edict on several occasions and established as the standard middle regulations. For every New Year's Day and winter solstice, on the day before, the Imperial Seals Office places the imperial throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the seal table to its east, and an incense table on the southern red steps. The Music Office positions the Harmonious Imperial Music ensemble on the east and west sides inside the hall, facing north. At dawn the following day, the Embroidered Uniform Guard displays the ceremonial escort and regalia on the red steps and red courtyard, sets out the bright fans inside the hall, and lines up the imperial carriages on the red courtyard. Four whip-crackers are posted on the left and right, facing north. The Music Office sets out the great music ensemble on the east and west sides of the red steps, facing north, while the Ceremonial Protocol Office places the Shared Script and Jade-Silk tables on the eastern red steps. The Golden Guard posted guard officials inside the hall and on the red steps, and arrayed armored soldiers from the red courtyard to outside the Meridian Gate; the Embroidered Uniform Guard posted generals from the red steps to outside the Gate of Supreme Harmony and lined up flags and banners outside that gate—all in east-west columns. The Imperial Herds Office displayed ceremonial horses, rhinoceroses, and elephants south of the Civil and Military Towers, facing east or west. The dawn herald who announced the time stood on the east side of the inner path, near its northern end. Two censorial officials charged with correcting ritual deportment stood north of the red courtyard; two inner announcers were inside the hall; two outer announcers stood north of the red courtyard; and officials who transmitted edicts, proclaimed memorials, and the like were inside the hall—all facing east or west. At the first drum signal, all officials in court dress formed ranks outside the Meridian Gate. At the second signal, they entered through the left and right side gates, took their places on the east and west sides of the red courtyard, and stood facing north. At the third signal, the officiating officials proceeded to the Hall of Imperial Canopy, where the emperor in full regalia ascended the throne and the bell sounds ceased. The Ceremonial Protocol Office announced that the officiating officials should perform the rite; five bows were announced, and when these were finished, it was reported that the emperor should ascend the hall. The imperial carriage set out, and the Harmonious Music began to play. The Imperial Seals Office bore the seal forward as guiding officials led the way; the fans opened, the curtain was rolled up, the seal was placed on the table, and the music ceased. The whip was cracked and the time announced; the paired announcers called the officials to form ranks until all were aligned. The ritual announcer called for bows, and great music began to play. Four bows were announced; the officials rose as the music swelled. The ceremonial director announced the presentation of the memorial, and music played. Two supervising secretaries proceeded before the Shared Script table; rank-order ushers raised the memorial table, entered through the east gate, placed it in the hall, and the music ceased. The inner announcer announced the proclamation of the memorial heading. The official who proclaimed the memorial heading knelt, and when the proclamation was finished, prostrated himself and rose. The proclamation of the memorial was announced; the unfolding official took up the memorial; the proclaiming official advanced to the curtain; the outer announcer called out, and all officials knelt. When the proclamation was finished, both inner and outer announcers called out; the officials prostrated themselves and rose. The rank-order ushers raised the memorial table on the east side of the hall, and the outer announcer called for all officials to kneel. The substitute speech-offering official knelt in the center of the red steps and delivered the congratulatory address: "Your servant official So-and-so, on this New Year's Day, as the three yang forces open the season of renewal, all things are made new." For the winter solstice it says: "The pitch-pipe responds to the yellow bell seed, and the day has reached its utmost lengthening." "We respectfully consider that Your Majesty the Emperor has received Heaven's mandate and accepted its blessings, and upholds Heaven's eternal prosperity." When the congratulations were finished, the outer announcer called out, and all officials prostrated themselves and rose. Music played; they performed four bows and rose. The music ceased. The edict-transmitting official knelt and reported that he would transmit the edict, then exited through the east gate, came to the red steps, stood facing east, and declared, "There is an edict." The ritual announcer called for them to kneel and proclaimed the edict. For New Year's Day it says: "The celebration of the year's beginning—I share it with you all." For the winter solstice it says: "The celebration of the year's lengthening—I share it with you all." For the Longevity Sacred Festival the address says: "Your servant official So-and-so, on this sacred birthday of Your Majesty the Emperor, respectfully leads the civil and military officials in wishing you ten thousand years of life." No edict was transmitted on this occasion. The ritual announcer called for them to prostrate themselves and rise. The music ceased. They were called to insert their tablets, bow three times, and perform the ritual dance. They were called to kneel and perform the mountain shout; all officials cupped their hands and touched their foreheads, saying, "Long live the emperor!" The mountain shout was called again: "Long live the emperor!" The mountain shout was called a second time: "Long live the emperor for ten thousand ages!" Whenever "Long live the emperor!" was shouted, musicians and military officers responded in unison. They were called to withdraw their tablets, prostrate themselves, and rise as music played. Four final bows were announced; they rose, and the music ceased. The Ceremonial Protocol Office announced that the rite was finished, and the Harmonious Music began to play. The whip was cracked, and the imperial carriage set out. The imperial seal official bore the seal as guiding officials led the way to the Hall of Imperial Canopy, where the music ceased. All officials departed in turn.
12
洪武三十年,更定同文、玉帛案俱進安殿中,宣表訖,舉置於寶案之南。 嘉靖十六年,更定蕃國貢方物案入于丹陛中道左右,設定時鼓於文樓上,大樂陳奉天門內東西,北向。 他儀亦略有增損。
In the thirtieth year of the Hongwu reign, it was revised so that both the Shared Script and Jade-Silk tables were brought into the hall; after the memorial was proclaimed, they were raised and placed south of the seal table. In the sixteenth year of the Jiajing reign, it was revised so that the table for foreign tribute goods was placed on either side of the central path on the red steps, the timekeeping drum was set on the Civil Tower, and the great music ensemble was positioned east and west inside the Gate of Supreme Harmony, facing north. Other ceremonies were likewise subject to minor additions and reductions.
13
立春日進春,都城府縣舉春案由東階升,跪置於丹陛中道,俯伏,興。 贊拜,樂作。 四拜,興,樂止。 文武官北向立,致詞官詣中道之東,跪奏云:「新春吉辰,禮當慶賀。」 贊拜,樂作。 五拜三叩頭,興,樂止。 儀禮司奏禮畢。 正統十一年,正旦立春,禮部議順天府官進春後,百官即詣班行賀正旦禮。 舊制,冬至日行賀禮。 嘉靖九年,分祀二郊,以冬至大報,是日行慶成禮。 次日,帝詣內殿,行節祭禮。 又詣母后前行賀禮訖,始御奉天殿受賀。
On the Beginning of Spring, the spring offering was presented; officials of the capital prefecture and counties raised the spring table up the east steps, knelt to place it on the central path of the red steps, then prostrated themselves and rose. Bows were announced, and music played. They performed four bows and rose, and the music ceased. Civil and military officials stood facing north; the speech-offering official proceeded to the east of the central path, knelt, and reported: "On this auspicious day of the new spring, it is fitting to offer congratulations." Bows were announced, and music played. They performed five bows and three prostrations, rose, and the music ceased. The Ceremonial Protocol Office announced that the rite was finished. In the eleventh year of the Zhengtong reign, when New Year's Day fell on the same day as the Beginning of Spring, the Ministry of Rites ruled that after Shuntian Prefecture officials presented the spring offering, all officials should immediately take their places to perform the New Year's congratulation rite. Under the old regulations, congratulation rites were performed on the winter solstice. In the ninth year of the Jiajing reign, the two suburban sacrifices were separated, and the winter solstice became the occasion for the great report to Heaven; on that day the celebration-of-completion rite was performed instead. The following day, the emperor proceeded to the inner hall to perform the seasonal sacrifice rite. He also proceeded before the empress dowager to perform congratulation rites, and only then took his seat in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to receive congratulations from the officials.
14
常朝儀
The Regular Audience Rite
15
古禮,天子有外朝、內朝、燕朝。 漢宣帝五日一朝。 唐制,天子日御紫宸殿見羣臣曰常參,朔望御宣政殿見羣臣曰入閣。 宋則侍從官日朝垂拱謂之常參,百司五日一朝紫宸爲六參,在京朝官朔望朝紫宸爲朔參、望參。
In ancient ritual, the Son of Heaven held court in three settings: the outer court, the inner court, and the leisure court. Emperor Xuan of Han held court once every five days. Under the Tang system, when the emperor daily received his ministers in the Purple Forbidden Hall it was called regular attendance; on the first and fifteenth of the month, when he received them in the Xuanzheng Hall, it was called entering the pavilion. In the Song dynasty, when attendant officials attended daily at the Chui Gong Hall it was called regular attendance; when the hundred offices attended at the Purple Forbidden Hall every five days it was called the six attendances; and when capital officials attended at the Purple Forbidden Hall on the first and fifteenth of the month it was called first-of-month attendance and mid-month attendance.
16
明洪武三年定制,朔望日,帝皮弁服御奉天殿,百官朝服於丹墀東西,再拜。 班首詣前,同百官鞠躬,稱「聖躬萬福」。 復位,皆再拜,分班對立。 省府臺部官有奏,由西階升殿。 奏畢降階,百官出。 十七年,罷朔望起居禮。 後更定,朔望御奉天殿,常朝官序立丹墀,東西向,謝恩見辭官序立奉天門外,北向。 升座作樂。 常朝官一拜三叩頭,樂止,復班。 謝恩見辭官序立奉天門外,北向。 升座作樂。 常朝官一拜三叩頭,樂止,復班。 謝恩見辭官於奉天門外,五拜三叩頭畢,駕興。
In the third year of the Hongwu reign, Ming regulations were established: on the first and fifteenth of each month, the emperor in leather cap and court robe took his seat in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and all officials in court dress on the east and west sides of the red courtyard performed two bows. The leader of the ranks advanced, and together with all officials bowed and said, "May Your Sacred Person enjoy ten thousand blessings." They returned to their positions, all bowed twice again, and divided into ranks standing opposite one another. If provincial, prefectural, censorial, or ministry officials had business to report, they ascended the hall by the west steps. When the presentations were finished they descended the steps, and all officials departed. In the seventeenth year, the first-and-fifteenth attendance rite was abolished. It was later revised so that on the first and fifteenth the emperor took the Hall of Supreme Harmony; officials of the regular audience stood in order on the red courtyard facing east or west; and officials offering thanks or taking leave stood in order outside the Gate of Supreme Harmony facing north. The emperor ascended the throne, and music played. Regular audience officials performed one bow and three prostrations; the music ceased, and they returned to their ranks. Officials offering thanks or taking leave stood in order outside the Gate of Supreme Harmony, facing north. The emperor ascended the throne, and music played. Regular audience officials performed one bow and three prostrations; the music ceased, and they returned to their ranks. When officials offering thanks or taking leave outside the Gate of Supreme Harmony had finished five bows and three prostrations, the imperial carriage set out.
17
又凡早朝,御華蓋殿,文武官於鹿頂外東西立,鳴鞭,以次行禮訖。 四品以上官入侍殿內,五品以下仍前北向立。 有事奏者出班,奏畢,鳴鞭以次出。 如御奉天殿,先於華蓋殿行禮。 奏事畢,五品以下詣丹墀,北向立,五品以上及翰林院、給事中、御史於中左、中右門候鳴鞭,詣殿內序立,朝退出。 凡百官於御前侍坐,有官奏事,必起立,奏畢復坐。 后皇帝行丹墀,常北面,不南向,左右周旋不背北。 皇帝升奉天門及丹陛,隨從官不得徑由中道並王道。 二十四年,定侍班官:東則六部都察院堂上官、十三道掌印御史、通政司、大理寺、太常寺、太僕寺、應天府、翰林院、春坊、光祿寺、欽天監、尚寶司、太醫院、五軍斷事及京縣官,西則五軍都督、錦衣衛指揮、各衛掌印指揮、給事中、中書舍人。 又令禮部置百官朝牌,大書品級,列丹墀左右木柵上,依序立。 二十六年,令凡入殿必履鞋。
For all morning audiences, the emperor took the Hall of Imperial Canopy; civil and military officials stood to the east and west outside the Deer Crest; the whip was cracked, and they performed the rites in order until finished. Officials of the fourth rank and above entered to attend inside the hall; those of the fifth rank and below remained where they were, standing facing north. Those with business to report stepped out of rank; when they had finished, the whip was cracked and they departed in order. If the emperor was to take the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the rites were first performed at the Hall of Imperial Canopy. When presentations were finished, officials of the fifth rank and below proceeded to the red courtyard and stood facing north; those of the fifth rank and above, together with members of the Hanlin Academy, supervising secretaries, and censors, waited at the central left and central right gates for the whip crack, then entered the hall to take their places in order and withdrew after the audience. Whenever officials were seated in attendance before the emperor, any official who had business to present had to stand; when finished, he sat down again. When the emperor walked on the red courtyard, he usually faced north rather than south, and when turning left or right he did not turn his back to the north. When the emperor ascended the Gate of Supreme Harmony and the red steps, attendant officials were forbidden to use the central path or the imperial path. In the twenty-fourth year, the officials who attended court were fixed: on the east were chief officials of the six ministries and censorate, chief censors of the thirteen circuits, the Office of Transmission, Court of Judicial Review, Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Court of the Imperial Stud, Yingtian Prefecture, Hanlin Academy, Eastern Palace, Court of Imperial Entertainments, Directorate of Astronomy, Imperial Seals Office, Imperial Medical Academy, Five Armies judicial officers, and capital county officials; on the west were commanders of the Five Armies, Embroidered Uniform Guard, and guard circuits, supervising secretaries, and secretarial draftsmen. The Ministry of Rites was also ordered to prepare audience placards for all officials, with ranks written in large characters and posted on the wooden railings to the left and right of the red courtyard, so that officials could stand in their proper order. In the twenty-sixth year, it was ordered that all who entered the hall must wear shoes.
18
永樂初,令內閣官侍朝立金臺東,錦衣衛在西,後移御道,東西對立。 四年諭六部及近侍官曰:「早朝多四方所奏事。 午後事簡,君臣之間得從容陳論。 自今有事當商榷者,皆於晚朝。」 四年,諭行在禮部曰:「北京冬氣嚴凝,羣臣早朝奏事,立久不勝。 今後朝畢,於右順門內便殿奏事。」
At the beginning of the Yongle reign, Grand Secretariat officials attending court were ordered to stand east of the Golden Terrace and the Embroidered Uniform Guard on the west; later they were moved to the imperial path, standing opposite one another east and west. In the fourth year he instructed the six ministries and close attendant officials: "The morning audience is mostly taken up with reports from the provinces. Afternoon business is lighter, and ruler and ministers can discuss matters at greater leisure. From now on, all matters requiring deliberation shall be taken up at the evening audience." In the fourth year he instructed the traveling Ministry of Rites: "Beijing's winter cold is severe; when ministers present business at the morning audience, they cannot endure standing so long. From now on, after the audience is finished, business shall be presented in the convenient hall inside the Right Shun Gate."
19
景泰初,定午朝儀。 凡午朝,御左順門,設寶案。 執事奏事官候於左掖門外。 駕出,以次入。 內閣、五府、六部奏事官,六科侍班官,案西序立; 侍班御史二,序班二,將軍四,案南面北立; 鳴贊一,案東,西向立; 錦衣衛、鴻臚寺東向立; 管將軍官、侍衛官立於將軍西。 府部奏事畢,撤案,各官退。 有密事,赴御前奏。
At the beginning of the Jingtai reign, the midday audience rite was established. For all midday audiences, the emperor took the Left Shun Gate and the seal table was set out. Officiating officials who had business to present waited outside the left side gate. The imperial carriage set out, and officials entered in order. Memorial-presenting officials of the Grand Secretariat, Five Offices, and six ministries, together with attendance officials of the six offices, stood in western order by the table; two attendance censors, two rank-order ushers, and four generals stood south of the table, facing north; one announcer stood east of the table, facing west; the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Court of State Ceremonial stood facing east; commanding generals and guard officials stood to the west of the generals. When the ministries had finished presenting business, the table was removed and all officials withdrew. If there were confidential matters, officials proceeded before the emperor to present them.
20
嘉靖九年,令常朝官禮畢,內閣官由東陛、錦衣衛官由西陛升,立於寶座東西。 有欽差官及外國人領敕,坊局官一人奉敕立內閣後,稍上,候領敕官辭,奉敕官承旨由左陛下,循御道授之。 隆慶六年,詔以三六九日視朝。 萬曆三年,令常朝日記注起居官四人,列於東班給事中上,稍前,以便觀聽。 午朝,則列於御座西,稍南。
In the ninth year of the Jiajing reign, it was ordered that after regular audience officials finished their rites, Grand Secretariat officials should ascend by the east steps and Embroidered Uniform Guard officials by the west steps, standing to the east and west of the imperial throne. When imperial commissioners or foreigners came to receive edicts, one workshop official bearing the edict stood behind the Grand Secretariat, slightly elevated; when the recipient had taken leave, the edict-bearing official received the decree and, descending the left steps along the imperial path, bestowed it. In the sixth year of the Longqing reign, an edict ordered that the emperor hold court on the third, sixth, and ninth days of each month. In the third year of the Wanli reign, four diarist attendance officials were ordered to stand above the eastern-rank supervising secretaries on regular audience days, slightly forward, so they could observe and record proceedings. At the midday audience, they stood west of the imperial throne, slightly to the south.
21
凡入朝次第,洪武二十四年,令朝參將軍先入,近侍次之,公、侯、駙馬、伯又次之,五府、六部又次之,應天府及在京雜職官員又次之。 成化十四年令進士照辦事衙門次第,立見任官後。
The order of entering court was fixed in the twenty-fourth year of the Hongwu reign: attendance generals entered first, then close attendants, then dukes, marquises, imperial sons-in-law, and earls, then the five offices and six ministries, and finally Yingtian Prefecture and miscellaneous capital officials. In the fourteenth year of the Chenghua reign, metropolitan graduates were ordered to follow the ranking of their assigned offices and stand behind incumbent officials.
22
皇太子親王朝儀
The Crown Prince's Personal Audience Rite
23
二十六年,改定朝賀於乾清宮。 其日,皇帝、皇后升座,侍從導引如儀,引禮引皇太子及妃、親王及妃詣上位前,贊禮贊四拜,興。 贊禮引皇太子詣前,贊跪,引禮讚太了妃、諸王及妃皆跪。 皇太子致詞,同前,不傳制。 贊禮贊皇太子俯伏,興,引禮讚諸王俯伏,興,太子妃、諸王妃皆興。 贊禮引皇太子復位。 贊拜,皇太子以下皆四拜。 禮畢,引禮引至皇后前,其前後贊拜,皆如朝皇帝儀。 致詞稱「母后殿下」。 禮畢,出。 七年更定,不致賀辭,止行八拜禮。 朝賀皇太后禮皆同。
In the twenty-sixth year, court congratulations were moved to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On that day, the emperor and empress ascended their thrones with attendants guiding as prescribed; ushers led the crown prince and his consort and the princes and their consorts before the imperial seats; four bows were announced, and they rose. The ritual announcer led the crown prince forward and called for kneeling; the usher called for the crown princess consort and all princes and their consorts to kneel as well. The crown prince delivered the congratulatory address as before, but no edict was transmitted. The crown prince prostrated himself and rose at the announcer's call; the princes did likewise; the crown princess and all princess consorts then rose. The ritual announcer led the crown prince back to his place. Bows were announced, and the crown prince and all below him performed four bows. When the rite was finished, they were led before the empress, and the bows before and after were performed just as in audience with the emperor. The address referred to her as "Mother Empress Your Highness." When the rite was finished, they departed. In the seventh year it was revised so that no congratulatory speech was offered and only eight bows were performed. Congratulations to the empress dowager followed the same rite.
24
諸王來朝儀
The Princes' Coming-to-Court Rite
25
古者,六年五服一朝。 漢法有四見儀。 魏制,籓王不得入覲。 晉泰始中,令王公以下入朝者,四方各爲二番。 唐以後,親籓多不就國。 明代仿古封建,親王之籓不常入朝,朝則賜賚甚厚。
In antiquity, princes came to court once every six years, within the cycle of the five degrees of mourning relationship. Han law prescribed four forms of audience ceremony. Under Wei regulations, feudatory princes were not permitted to come to court for audience. In the Taishi era of Jin, those coming to court from the four directions—from princes and dukes downward—were each divided into two rotations. After the Tang, imperial princes mostly did not take up residence in their assigned fiefs. The Ming modeled the ancient system of feudal enfeoffment; princes in their fiefs did not often come to court, but when they did the gifts bestowed were exceedingly generous.
26
明初,凡來朝,先期陳御座於奉天殿,如常儀。 諸王次於奉天門外東耳房。 鼓三嚴,百官入就侍立位。 引禮導王具袞冕,由東門入,升東陛,就位。 王府從官就丹墀位。 贊拜,樂作,王與從官皆四拜。 興,樂止。 王從殿東門入,樂作。 內贊導至御前,樂止。 王跪,王府官皆跪。 王致辭曰:「第幾子某王某,茲遇某時入覲,欽詣父皇陛下朝拜。」 贊俯伏,興。 王由東門出。 樂作,復拜位,樂止。 贊拜,王興。 從官皆四拜,興。 樂作,駕興,王及各官以次出。
Early in the Ming, whenever princes came to court, the imperial throne was set out in advance at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, following the regular ceremony. The princes waited in the eastern side chamber outside the Gate of Supreme Harmony. At the third drum signal, all officials entered and took their attendance positions. The usher led the prince in full regalia through the east gate, up the east steps, to his position. The prince's entourage took their positions on the red courtyard. Bows were announced; music played, and the prince and his entourage all performed four bows. They rose, and the music ceased. The prince entered through the hall's east gate as music played. The inner announcer guided him before the emperor, and the music ceased. The prince knelt, and all officials of his princely establishment knelt as well. The prince delivered his address: "Your son, the such-and-such Prince So-and-so, having come to court on this occasion, respectfully proceeds before Father Emperor Your Majesty to perform obeisance." He was called to prostrate himself and then rise. The prince exited through the east gate. Music played as he returned to the bowing position, then ceased. Bows were announced, and the prince rose. The entourage all performed four bows and rose. Music played, the imperial carriage set out, and the prince and all officials departed in order.
27
洪武二十六年定,凡諸王大朝,行八拜禮。 常朝,一拜。 凡伯叔兄見天子,在朝行君臣禮,便殿行家人禮。 伯叔兄西向坐,受天子四拜。 天子居中南面坐,以尚親親之義,存君臣之禮。 凡外戚朝見,皇后父母見帝行君臣禮,后見父母行家人禮。 皇太子見皇后父母,皇后父母西向立,皇太子東向行四拜禮,皇后父母立受兩拜,答兩拜。
It was fixed in the twenty-sixth year of the Hongwu reign that at grand audiences all princes performed the eight-bow rite. At regular audiences, one bow. When uncles and elder brothers met the Son of Heaven, they performed ruler-minister rites at court and family rites in the informal hall. Uncles and elder brothers sat facing west and received four bows from the Son of Heaven. The Son of Heaven sat in the center facing south, honoring the principle of cherishing kinship while preserving the forms of ruler-minister ritual. For audiences with affinal kin, the empress's parents performed ruler-minister rites when meeting the emperor, while the empress performed family rites when meeting her parents. When the crown prince met the empress's parents, they stood facing west; the crown prince, facing east, performed four bows; the empress's parents stood to receive two bows and returned two bows.
28
諸司朝覲儀
The Various Offices' Audience Rite
29
明制,天下官三年一入朝。 自十二月十六日始,鴻臚寺以次引見。 二十五日後,每日方面官隨常朝官入奉天門行禮,府州縣官及諸司首領官吏、土官吏俱午門外行禮。 正旦大朝以後,方面官於奉天殿前序立,知府以下,奉天門金水橋南序立,如常朝儀。 天順三年,令凡方面官入朝,遞降京官一等。 萬曆五年,令凡朝覲,南京府尹、行太僕寺苑馬寺卿、布按二司,俱於十二月十六日朝見,外班行禮。 由右掖門至御前,鴻臚寺官以次引見。 其鹽運司及知府以下官吏,浙江、江西十七日,山東、山西十八日,河南、陝西十九日,湖廣、南直隸二十日,福建、四川二十一日,廣東、廣西二十二日,雲南、貴州二十三日,北直隸二十四日,各外班行禮,至御前引見。 免朝則止,仍候御朝日引見。 正旦朝賀,俱入殿前行禮。 凡朝覲官見辭謝恩,具公服,正旦具朝服,不著硃履。 常朝俱錦繡。
Under Ming regulations, officials throughout the realm came to court once every three years. Beginning on the sixteenth day of the twelfth month, the Court of State Ceremonial led them in for audience in turn. After the twenty-fifth, regional officials entered the Gate of Supreme Harmony each day with regular audience officials to perform rites; prefectural, subprefectural, and county officials, office chiefs, and native officials all performed rites outside the Meridian Gate. After the New Year's grand audience, regional officials stood in order before the Hall of Supreme Harmony; prefects and officials below them stood south of the Golden Water Bridge at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, following the regular audience rite. In the third year of the Tianshun reign, it was ordered that all regional officials entering court be ranked one grade below their capital counterparts. In the fifth year of the Wanli reign, it was ordered that for all audiences, the Nanjing prefect, the traveling directors of the Court of the Imperial Stud and Imperial Park, and the provincial administration and surveillance commissions should all have audience on the sixteenth day of the twelfth month, performing rites in the outer ranks. They proceeded through the right side gate to before the emperor, where Court of State Ceremonial officials led them in for audience in turn. Salt transport commissioners and officials from prefects downward were scheduled by province: Zhejiang and Jiangxi on the seventeenth, Shandong and Shanxi on the eighteenth, Henan and Shaanxi on the nineteenth, Huguang and the Southern Metropolitan Region on the twentieth, Fujian and Sichuan on the twenty-first, Guangdong and Guangxi on the twenty-second, Yunnan and Guizhou on the twenty-third, and the Northern Metropolitan Region on the twenty-fourth—each performing rites in the outer ranks before being led before the emperor for audience. If exempted from audience they did not appear, but still waited for the day of imperial audience to be led in. For New Year's congratulations, all entered before the hall to perform rites. Officials coming for audience, taking leave, offering thanks, or receiving grace wore formal robes; for New Year's they wore court dress and did not wear red shoes. For regular audiences they all wore brocade.
30
中宮受朝儀
The Inner Palace Reception Rite
31
惟唐《開元禮》有朝皇太后及皇后受羣臣賀,皇后會外命婦諸儀。 明制無皇后受羣臣賀儀,而皇妃以下,正旦、冬至朝賀儀,則自洪武元年九月詔定。
Only the Tang dynasty's Kaiyuan Rites records ceremonies for audience with the empress dowager, the empress receiving congratulations from ministers, and the empress meeting external titled ladies. Ming regulations include no rite for the empress to receive congratulations from ministers, but congratulation rites for imperial consorts and those below them on New Year's Day and the winter solstice were established by edict in the ninth month of the first year of the Hongwu reign.
32
凡中宮朝賀,內使監設皇后寶座於坤寧宮。 丹陛儀仗,內使執之,殿上儀仗,女使執之。 陳女樂於宮門外。 設皇貴妃幄次於宮門外之西,近北; 設公主幄次於宮門外之東,稍南; 設外命婦幄次於門外之南,東西向。 皇后服禕衣出閤,仗動,樂作。 升座,樂止。 司賓導外命婦由東門入內道,東西班侍立,訖。 導皇貴妃、衆妃由東門入,至陛上拜位。 贊拜,樂作,四拜興,樂止。 導由殿東門入,樂作。 內贊接引至殿上拜位,樂止。 贊跪,妃皆跪。 皇貴妃致祠曰,「妾某氏等,遇茲履端之節」,冬至則云:「履長」,「恭詣皇后殿下稱賀」。 致詞畢,皆俯伏,興,樂作,復位,樂止。 贊拜,樂作,四拜興,樂止。 降自東階出。 司賓導公主由東門入,至陛下拜位,以次立,行禮如皇妃儀。 司賓導外命婦入殿前中道拜位。 贊拜如儀。 班首由西陛升,入殿西門,樂作。 內贊接引至殿上拜位,班首及諸命婦皆跪。 班首致詞曰:「某國夫人妾某氏等稱賀。」 賀畢,出復位。 司言跪承旨,由殿中門出,立露臺之東,南向,稱有旨。 命婦皆跪,司言宣旨曰:「履端之慶,與夫人等共之。」 贊興。 司言奏宣旨畢。 皇后興,樂作。 入內閤門,樂止。 諸命婦出。 太皇太后、皇太后朝賀儀同。
For all inner-palace congratulations, the Directorate of Palace Eunuchs placed the empress's throne at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Regalia on the red steps was borne by inner eunuchs; regalia inside the hall was borne by female attendants. Female musicians were positioned outside the palace gate. The imperial noble consort's canopy was set to the west outside the palace gate, near the northern end; the princesses' canopy was set to the east outside the palace gate, slightly to the south; and external titled ladies' canopy was set to the south outside the gate, facing east or west. The empress, dressed in ceremonial robes, emerged from the inner chamber as the regalia moved and music began to play. She ascended the throne, and the music ceased. The reception director led external titled ladies through the east gate onto the inner path, where eastern and western ranks stood in attendance until all were in place. The imperial noble consort and all consorts were led through the east gate to the bowing position on the steps. Bows were announced; music played; they performed four bows and rose; the music ceased. They were led in through the hall's east gate as music played. The inner announcer guided them to the bowing position in the hall, and the music ceased. Kneeling was announced, and all consorts knelt. The imperial noble consort delivered the address: "Your concubines So-and-so and others, on this occasion of the year's beginning"; for the winter solstice: "the year's lengthening," "we respectfully proceed before Her Majesty the Empress to offer congratulations." When the address was finished, all prostrated themselves and rose; music played as they returned to their positions, then ceased. Bows were announced; music played; they performed four bows and rose; the music ceased. They descended the east steps and departed. The reception director led the princesses through the east gate to the bowing position on the steps, where they stood in order and performed rites as the imperial consorts had done. The reception director led external titled ladies to the bowing position on the central path before the hall. Bows were announced as prescribed. The rank leader ascended the west steps and entered through the hall's west gate as music played. The inner announcer guided them to the bowing position in the hall; the rank leader and all titled ladies knelt. The rank leader delivered the address: "Lady of such-and-such state, your concubines So-and-so and others offer congratulations." When the congratulations were finished, they withdrew and returned to their positions. The proclamation officer knelt to receive the edict, went out through the hall's middle gate, took his place east of the open terrace facing south, and announced, "There is an edict." All titled ladies knelt; the proclamation officer proclaimed the edict: "The celebration of the year's beginning—I share it with you all." Rise was announced. The proclamation officer reported that the proclamation of the edict was complete. The empress rose, and music began. She entered the inner pavilion gate, and the music ceased. All titled ladies withdrew. The congratulation rites for the grand empress dowager and the empress dowager followed the same procedure.
33
洪武二十六年,重定中宮朝賀儀:先日,女官設御座香案。 至日內官設儀仗、陳女樂於丹陛東西,北向,設箋案於殿東門。 命婦至宮門,司賓引入就拜位,女官具服侍班。 尚宮、尚儀等官詣內奉迎,皇后具服出,作樂,贊拜如前儀。 女官舉箋案由殿東門入,樂作。 至殿中,樂止。 贊跪,命婦皆跪。 贊宣箋目,女官宣訖,贊展箋,宣箋女官詣案前,展宣訖,舉案於殿東。 命婦皆興,司賓引班首由東階升入殿東門,樂作。 內贊引至殿中,樂止。 贊跪,班首及諸命婦皆跪。 班首致詞訖,皆興,由西門出。 贊拜及司言宣旨,皆如儀,禮畢。 千秋節致詞云:「茲遇千秋令節,敬詣皇后殿下稱賀。」 不傳旨。 凡朔望命婦朝參,是日設御座於宮中,陳儀仗女樂。 皇后升座,引禮女官引命婦入班,文東武西,各以夫品。 贊拜,樂作,四拜。 禮畢,出。 陰雨、大寒暑則免。 後命婦朝賀,俱於仁智殿。 朝東宮妃,儀如朝中宮,不傳令。
In the twenty-sixth year of the Hongwu reign, the congratulation rites of the inner palace were revised: on the day before, female officials set up the imperial throne and incense table. On the day itself, inner-palace officials deployed regalia and positioned female musicians to the east and west of the red steps, facing north, and set a memorial table at the hall's east gate. When titled ladies arrived at the palace gate, the reception director led them in to their bowing positions, and female officials attended in full dress and formed the ranks. The Chief Superintendent of the Palace, the Chief Superintendent of Ceremonies, and other officials went within to escort her out; the empress emerged in full ceremonial dress to music, and bows were announced as in the earlier rite. Female officials carried the memorial table in through the hall's east gate to music. When they reached the center of the hall, the music ceased. Kneeling was announced, and all titled ladies knelt. The proclamation of the memorial heading was announced and completed by a female official; unfolding of the memorial was announced; the female official charged with proclaiming the memorial advanced to the table, unfolded and read it, then carried the table to the east side of the hall. All titled ladies rose; the reception director led the rank leader up the east steps and in through the hall's east gate to music. The inner announcer guided them to the center of the hall, and the music ceased. Kneeling was announced; the rank leader and all titled ladies knelt. When the rank leader had finished the address, all rose and departed through the west gate. Announcing bows and the proclamation officer's reading of the edict followed the prescribed rites, and the ceremony was complete. For the Thousand-Autumns Festival, the address reads: "On this occasion of the thousand-autumns festival, we respectfully proceed before Her Majesty the Empress to offer congratulations." No edict was transmitted. For titled ladies' attendance on the first and fifteenth of each month, the imperial throne was set within the palace that day, and regalia and female musicians were displayed. The empress took her seat; the ushering female official led titled ladies into formation—civil officials' wives to the east, military officials' wives to the west—each arranged according to her husband's rank. Bows were announced; music played; they performed four bows. When the rite was complete, they withdrew. Attendance was exempted on rainy days and in extreme cold or heat. Thereafter, titled ladies offered congratulations in audience, all at the Hall of Benevolent Wisdom. Audiences with the Eastern Palace consort followed the rite for audiences with the inner palace, but no order was transmitted.
34
朝賀東宮儀
The Eastern Palace Congratulations Rite
35
漢以前無聞。 隋文帝時,冬至百官朝太子,張樂受賀。 唐制,宮臣參賀皇太子,皆舞蹈。 開元始罷其禮。 故事,百官詣皇太子止稱名,惟宮臣稱臣。 明洪武十四年,給事中鄭相同請如古制,詔下羣臣議。 編修吳沈等議曰:「東宮國之大本,所以繼聖體而承天位也。 臣子尊敬之禮,不得有二。 請凡啓事東宮者,稱臣如故。」 從之。
Nothing is recorded of this before the Han dynasty. In the time of Emperor Wen of the Sui, on the winter solstice all officials attended upon the crown prince, who set out music and received congratulations. Under Tang regulations, palace officials offering congratulations to the crown prince all performed ritual dance. Beginning in the Kaiyuan era, this rite was abolished. By precedent, when officials proceeded before the crown prince they addressed him only by name; only palace officials styled themselves his subjects. In the fourteenth year of the Hongwu reign, Remonstrating Secretary Zheng Xiangtong asked that ancient practice be restored; the emperor issued an edict ordering the ministers to deliberate. Compiler Wu Shen and others submitted their opinion: "The Eastern Palace is the great foundation of the state, the means by which the sacred person is succeeded and the throne of Heaven is received. The rites by which subjects show respect cannot be divided. We ask that all who address memorials to the Eastern Palace continue to style themselves subjects as before." The proposal was adopted.
36
凡朝東宮,前期,典璽官設皇太子座於文華殿,錦衣衛設儀仗於殿外,教坊司陳大樂於文華門內東西,北向,府軍衛列甲士旗幟於門外,錦衣衛設將軍十二人於殿中門外及文華門外,東西向,儀禮司官設箋案於殿東門外,設百官拜位於殿下東西,設傳令宣箋等官位於殿內東西。 是日,百官詣文華門外。 導引官啓外備,皇太子具冕服出,樂作。 升座,樂止。 百官入贊拜,樂作。 四拜興,樂止。 丞相升自西階,至殿內拜位,俱跪。 丞相致詞曰:「某等茲遇三陽開泰,萬物維新。 敬惟皇太子殿下,茂膺景福。」 畢,俯伏,興,復位。 舍人舉箋案入殿中,其捧箋、展箋、宣箋、傳令,略與皇后同。 令曰:「履茲三陽,願同嘉慶。」 餘俱如儀。 冬至致詞,則易「律應黃鐘,日當長至」。 傳令則易「履長之節。」 千秋節致詞則云:「茲遇皇太子殿下壽誕之辰,謹率文武羣官,敬祝千歲壽。」 不傳令。 凡朔望,百官朝退,詣文華殿門外,東西立。 皇太子升殿,樂作。 百官行一拜禮。 其謝恩見辭官亦行禮。
For all audiences at the Eastern Palace, preparations were made in advance: the Keeper of the Imperial Seals set the crown prince's throne in the Hall of Literary Splendor; the Embroidered Uniform Guard deployed regalia outside the hall; the Music Office positioned grand music to the east and west inside the Gate of Literary Splendor, facing north; the Palace Guard arrayed armored soldiers and banners outside the gate; the Embroidered Uniform Guard posted twelve generals outside the hall's middle gate and outside the Gate of Literary Splendor, facing east and west; officials of the Ceremonial Protocol Office set a memorial table outside the hall's east gate, bowing positions for all officials to the east and west below the hall, and positions within the hall for officials charged with transmitting orders and proclaiming memorials. On that day, all officials proceeded to the area outside the Gate of Literary Splendor. The usher announced that preparations outside were complete; the crown prince emerged in full crown and robes to music. He ascended the throne, and the music ceased. All officials entered; bows were announced to music. They performed four bows and rose; the music ceased. The chancellor ascended the west steps to the bowing position within the hall, and all knelt. The chancellor delivered the address: "We, on this occasion when the three yang forces open the season of renewal and the ten thousand things are made new. Respectfully considering Your Highness the Crown Prince, may you abundantly receive bright blessings." When the address was finished, he prostrated himself, rose, and returned to his position. A household attendant carried the memorial table into the center of the hall; presenting, unfolding, proclaiming, and transmitting the memorial followed roughly the same procedure as for the empress. The order read: "On this triple yang, I wish to share the joyous celebration." The remainder followed the prescribed rites. For the winter solstice address, the phrasing was changed to: "The pitch accords with the Yellow Bell; the day marks the solstice when daylight begins to lengthen." For the transmitted order, the phrasing was changed to: "The festival of the year's lengthening." For the Thousand-Autumns Festival, the address read: "On this birthday of Your Highness the Crown Prince, we respectfully lead the civil and military officials in wishing you a thousand years of life." No order was transmitted. On the first and fifteenth of each month, after the regular court audience all officials proceeded to the area outside the gate of the Hall of Literary Splendor and stood to the east and west. The crown prince ascended the hall to music. All officials performed one bow. Officials presenting thanks for imperial grace or taking leave to bid farewell also performed the rite.
37
洪武元年十二月,帝以東宮師傅皆勳舊大臣,當待以殊禮,命議三師朝賀東宮儀。 禮官議曰:「唐制,羣臣朝賀東宮,行四拜禮,皇太子答後二拜。 三公朝賀,前後俱答拜。 近代答拜之禮不行,而三師之禮不可不重。 今擬凡大朝賀,設皇太子座於大本堂,設答拜褥位於堂中,設三師、賓客、諭德拜位於堂前。 皇太子常服升座,三師、賓客常服入就位,北向立。 皇太子起立,南向。 贊四拜,皇太子答後二拜。」
In the twelfth month of the first year of the Hongwu reign, the emperor held that the Eastern Palace tutors, being meritorious ministers of long service, deserved exceptional treatment, and ordered deliberation on the rites by which the Three Preceptors would congratulate the Eastern Palace. The ritual officials submitted their opinion: "Under Tang regulations, when ministers congratulated the Eastern Palace they performed four bows, and the crown prince returned the last two bows. When the Three Dukes offered congratulations, he returned bows both before and after. In recent times the rite of returning bows had fallen out of use, yet the rites due the Three Preceptors could not be neglected. It was proposed that for all grand congratulatory audiences, the crown prince's throne be set in the Hall of the Great Foundation, a cushion for returning bows in the center of the hall, and bowing positions for the Three Preceptors, Preceptor-Guest, and Preceptor of Virtue before the hall. The crown prince ascended the throne in ordinary dress; the Three Preceptors and Preceptor-Guest entered in ordinary dress and took their positions, standing facing north. The crown prince rose from his seat and faced south. Four bows were announced; the crown prince returned the last two bows."
38
六年,詔百官朝見太子,朝服去蔽膝及佩。 二十九年,詔廷臣議親王見東宮儀。 禮官議,諸王來見,設皇太子位於正殿中,設諸王拜位於殿門外及殿內,設王府官拜位於庭中道上之東西,設百官侍立位於庭中,東西向。 至日,列甲士,陳儀仗,設樂如常。 諸王詣東宮門外幄次,皇太子常服出,樂作。 升座,樂止。 引禮導諸王入就殿門外位。 初行,樂作,就位,樂止。 導詣殿東門入,樂作。 內贊引至位,北向立,樂止。 贊跪,王與王府官皆跪,致詞曰:「茲遇某節,恭詣皇太子殿下。」 致詞畢,王與王府官皆俯伏,興,樂作。 復位,樂止。 贊拜,樂作,王與王府官皆四拜。 興,樂止。 禮畢,王及各官以次出。 王至後殿,敘家人禮。 東宮及王皆常服,王由文華殿東門入,至後殿。 王西向,東宮南向。 相見禮畢,敘坐,東宮正中,南面,諸王列於東西。
In the sixth year, an edict ordered that when officials attended upon the crown prince, they should remove the knee covers and pendants from their court dress. In the twenty-ninth year, an edict ordered court ministers to deliberate on the rite for princes' audiences with the Eastern Palace. The ritual officials deliberated: when princes came to audience, the crown prince's seat was set in the center of the main hall; bowing positions for the princes were set outside and inside the hall gate; bowing positions for princely household officials were set to the east and west on the central path of the courtyard; and positions for attending officials were set in the courtyard, facing east and west. On the day, armored soldiers were arrayed, regalia displayed, and music set up as usual. The princes proceeded to the canopy outside the Eastern Palace gate; the crown prince emerged in ordinary dress to music. He ascended the throne, and the music ceased. The usher guided the princes in to take their positions outside the hall gate. As they began to move, music played; when they had taken their positions, the music ceased. They were guided in through the hall's east gate to music. The inner announcer guided them to their positions, where they stood facing north; the music ceased. Kneeling was announced; the prince and all princely household officials knelt and delivered the address: "On this occasion of such-and-such festival, we respectfully proceed before Your Highness the Crown Prince." When the address was finished, the prince and all princely household officials prostrated themselves and rose to music. They returned to their positions, and the music ceased. Bows were announced; music played; the prince and all princely household officials performed four bows. They rose, and the music ceased. When the rite was complete, the prince and each official withdrew in turn. The prince then proceeded to the rear hall to observe family rites. The crown prince and the prince both wore ordinary dress; the prince entered through the east gate of the Hall of Literary Splendor and proceeded to the rear hall. The prince faced west; the crown prince faced south. When the meeting rite was complete, they took their seats: the crown prince at the center facing south, with the princes arrayed to the east and west.
39
嘉靖二十八年,禮部奏,故事,皇太子受朝賀,設座文華殿中,今易黃瓦,似應避尊。 帝曰:「東宮受賀,位當設文華門之左,南向。 然侍衛未備,已之。」 隆慶二年冊皇太子,詔於文華殿門東間設座受賀。
In the twenty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign, the Ministry of Rites memorialized that by precedent the crown prince received congratulatory audiences with his throne set in the center of the Hall of Literary Splendor, but now that yellow tiles had been installed there, it seemed he should avoid occupying so exalted a seat. The emperor said: "When the Eastern Palace receives congratulations, the seat should be set to the left of the Gate of Literary Splendor, facing south. Yet the guard of honor was not yet in place, so the matter was dropped." In the second year of the Longqing reign, when the crown prince was invested, an edict ordered that his throne be set in the eastern bay of the gate of the Hall of Literary Splendor to receive congratulations.
40
大宴儀
The Grand Banquet Rite
41
漢大朝會,羣臣上殿稱萬歲,舉觴。 百官受賜宴饗,大作樂。 唐大饗登歌,或於殿庭設九部伎。 宋以春秋仲月及千秋節,大宴羣臣,設山樓排場,窮極奢麗。 明制,有大宴、中宴、常宴、小宴。
At Han grand court assemblies, ministers ascended the hall, called "ten thousand years," and raised their goblets. All officials received imperial banquets and grand music was performed. At Tang grand feasts, songs were performed as ministers ascended; sometimes the Nine Ensemble Troupes were set up in the hall courtyard. The Song held grand banquets for all ministers in the middle months of spring and autumn and on the Thousand-Autumns Festival, erecting mountain pavilions and elaborate stages with every extravagance. Under Ming regulations, there were grand banquets, medium banquets, regular banquets, and small banquets.
42
洪武元年,大宴羣臣於奉天殿,三品以上升殿,餘列于丹墀,遂定正旦、冬至聖節宴謹身殿禮。 二十六年,重定大宴禮,陳於奉天殿。 永樂元年,以郊祀禮成,大宴。 十九年,以北京郊社、宗廟及宮殿成,大宴。 宣德、正統間,朝官不與者,給賜節錢。 凡立春、元宵、四月八日、端午、重陽、臘八日,永樂間,俱於奉天門賜百官宴,用樂。 其後皆宴於午門外,不用樂。 立春日賜春餅,元宵日糰子,四月八日不落莢,嘉靖中,改不落莢爲麥餅。 端午日涼糕糉,重陽日糕,臘八日面,俱設午門外,以官品序坐。 宣德五年冬,久未雪,十二月大雪,帝示羣臣《喜雪》詩,復賜賞雪宴。 羣臣進和章,帝擇其寓警戒者錄之,而爲之序。 皇太后聖誕,正統四年賜宴午門。 東宮千秋節,永樂間,賜府部堂上、春坊、科道、近侍錦衣衛及天下進箋官,宴於文華殿。 宣德以後,俱宴午門外。 凡祀圜丘、方澤、祈谷、朝日夕月、耕耤、經筵日講、東宮講讀,皆賜飯。 親蠶,賜內外命婦飯。 纂修校勘書籍,開館暨書成,皆賜宴。 閣臣九年考滿,賜宴於禮部,九卿侍宴。 新進士賜宴曰恩榮。
In the first year of the Hongwu reign, a grand banquet for all ministers was held in the Hall of Supreme Heaven; officials of third rank and above ascended the hall while the rest were arrayed on the red steps, thereby fixing the rites for New Year's Day, Winter Solstice, and imperial birthday banquets at the Hall of Self-Discipline. In the twenty-sixth year, the grand banquet rite was revised and promulgated at the Hall of Supreme Heaven. In the first year of the Yongle reign, a grand banquet was held upon completion of the suburban sacrifice rite. In the nineteenth year, a grand banquet was held to mark the completion of the suburban altars, ancestral temple, and palace buildings in Beijing. Between the Xuande and Zhengtong reigns, court officials who did not attend were granted festival money in lieu of the banquet. For Beginning of Spring, the Lantern Festival, the eighth day of the fourth month, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Double Ninth Festival, and the eighth day of the twelfth month, banquets with music were bestowed upon all officials at the Gate of Supreme Heaven throughout the Yongle period. Thereafter all such banquets were held outside the Meridian Gate, without music. On Beginning of Spring, spring cakes were bestowed; on the Lantern Festival, glutinous rice balls; on the eighth day of the fourth month, non-falling pods—in the Jiajing period these were changed to wheat cakes. On the Dragon Boat Festival, cool cakes and zongzi were served; on the Double Ninth Festival, cakes; on the eighth day of the twelfth month, noodles—all were laid out outside the Meridian Gate, with seating arranged by official rank. In the winter of the fifth year of Xuande, snow had long been absent; when heavy snow finally fell in the twelfth month, the emperor showed the ministers his poem "Joy at Snow" and bestowed a snow-viewing banquet. The ministers submitted harmonizing verses; the emperor selected those bearing admonitory meaning, had them recorded, and wrote a preface for the collection. On the empress dowager's birthday in the fourth year of Zhengtong, a banquet was bestowed at the Meridian Gate. On the crown prince's Thousand-Autumns Festival during the Yongle period, ministers of departments and ministries, Eastern Palace staff, censorial officials, close attendants of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and memorial-presenting officials from throughout the realm were granted banquets in the Hall of Literary Splendor. After the Xuande reign, all such banquets were held outside the Meridian Gate. Meals were granted for sacrifices at the Circular Mound and Square Pond, the Prayer for Grain, the Morning Sun and Evening Moon rites, the ploughing ceremony, daily lectures at the Classics Colloquium, and Eastern Palace study sessions. At the empress's personal silkworm ceremony, meals were bestowed upon titled ladies of the inner and outer courts. For compiling and collating books, banquets were bestowed both when a bureau opened and when a work was completed. When Grand Secretaries completed their nine-year term review, a banquet was bestowed at the Ministry of Rites, with the Nine Ministers in attendance. The banquet bestowed upon newly passed jinshi was called the Grace and Glory banquet.
43
凡大饗,尚寶司設御座於奉天殿,錦衣衛設黃麾於殿外之東西,金吾等衛設護衛官二十四人於殿東西。 教坊司設九奏樂歌於殿內,設大樂於殿外,立三舞雜隊於殿下。 光祿寺設酒亭於御座下西,膳亭於御座下東,珍羞醯醢亭於酒膳亭之東西。 設御筵於御座東西,設皇太子座於御座東,西向,諸王以次南,東西相向。 羣臣四品以上位於殿內,五品以下位於東西廡,司壺、尚酒、尚食各供事。 至期,儀禮司請升座。 駕興,大樂作。 升座,樂止。 鳴鞭,皇太子親王上殿。 文武官四品以上由東西門入,立殿中,五品以下立丹墀,贊拜如儀。 光祿寺進御筵,大樂作。 至御前,樂止。 內官進花。 光祿寺開爵注酒,詣御前,進第一爵。 教坊司奏《炎精之曲》。 樂作,內外官皆跪,教坊司跪奏進酒。 飲畢,樂止。 衆官俯伏,興,贊拜如儀。 各就位坐,序班詣羣臣散花。 第二爵奏《皇風之曲》。 樂作,光祿寺酌酒御前,序班酌羣臣酒。 皇帝舉酒,羣臣亦舉酒,樂止。 進湯,鼓吹響節前導,至殿外,鼓吹止。 殿上樂作,羣臣起立,光祿寺官進湯,羣臣復坐。 序班供羣臣湯。 皇帝舉箸,羣臣亦舉箸,贊饌成,樂止。 武舞入,奏《平定天下之舞》。 第三爵奏《眷皇明之曲》。 樂作,進酒如初。 樂止,奏《撫安四夷之舞》。 第四爵奏《天道傳之曲》,進酒、進湯如初,奏《車書會同之舞》。 第五爵奏《振皇綱之曲》,進酒如初,奏《百戲承應舞》。 第六爵奏《金陵之曲》,進酒、進湯如初,奏《八蠻獻寶舞》。 第七爵奏《長楊之曲》,進酒如初,奏《採蓮隊子舞》。 第八爵奏《芳醴之曲》,進酒、進湯如初,奏《魚躍於淵舞》。 第九爵奏《駕六龍之曲》,進酒如初。 光祿寺收御爵,序班收羣臣盞。 進湯,進大膳,大樂作,羣臣起立,進訖復坐,序班供羣臣飯食。 訖,贊膳成,樂止。 撤膳,奏《百花隊舞》。 贊撤案,光祿寺撤御案,序班撤羣臣案。 贊宴成,羣臣皆出席,北向立。 贊拜如儀,羣臣分東西立。 儀禮司奏禮畢,駕興,樂止,以次出。 其中宴禮如前,但進七爵。 常宴如中宴,但一拜三叩頭,進酒或三或五而止。
For all grand feasts, the Office of the Imperial Seals set the imperial throne in the Hall of Supreme Heaven; the Embroidered Uniform Guard set yellow banners east and west outside the hall; and the Golden Guard and other guards posted twenty-four guard officers east and west of the hall. The Music Office set the Nine Performances of music and song inside the hall, grand music outside the hall, and three dance troupes and mixed companies below the hall. The Court of Imperial Entertainments set a wine pavilion to the west below the imperial throne, a food pavilion to the east below the imperial throne, and pavilions for delicacies and sauces to the east and west of the wine and food pavilions. The imperial banquet was laid east and west of the imperial throne; the crown prince's seat was placed east of the throne, facing west, with the princes arrayed in order to the south, facing each other east and west. Ministers of fourth rank and above took their places inside the hall, while those of fifth rank and below were seated in the east and west corridors; the Pitcher Office, Wine Service, and Food Service each performed their duties. When the appointed day arrived, the Office of Ceremonial requested the emperor's ascent to the throne. The imperial procession set out, and grand music began. When the emperor had ascended the throne, the music ceased. The whip was sounded, and the crown prince and imperial princes ascended the hall. Civil and military officials of fourth rank and above entered through the east and west gates and stood in the hall, while those of fifth rank and below stood on the red steps; bows were announced according to the rite. The Court of Imperial Entertainments presented the imperial banquet as grand music played. When the banquet reached the emperor, the music ceased. Inner palace attendants presented flowers. The Court of Imperial Entertainments opened the cups, poured wine, proceeded before the emperor, and presented the first cup. The Music Office performed "Melody of the Fiery Essence." Music played; inner and outer officials all knelt as the Music Office knelt and announced the presentation of wine. When the drinking was finished, the music ceased. All officials prostrated themselves, rose, and bows were announced according to the rite. Each took his seat in position, and the order-keepers proceeded to scatter flowers among the ministers. For the second cup, "Melody of Imperial Wind" was performed. Music played; the Court of Imperial Entertainments poured wine before the emperor while the order-keepers poured wine for the ministers. The emperor raised his wine, the ministers raised theirs, and the music ceased. Soup was presented; drums and pipes with rhythmic clappers led the way, and when the procession reached outside the hall, the drums and pipes fell silent. Music in the hall began; the ministers stood as Court of Imperial Entertainments officials presented soup, then sat again. The order-keepers served soup to the ministers. The emperor raised his chopsticks, the ministers raised theirs, the completion of the feast course was announced, and the music ceased. The military dance troupe entered and performed "Dance of Pacifying All Under Heaven." For the third cup, "Melody of Cherishing Imperial Brightness" was performed. Music played, and wine was presented as before. The music ceased, and "Dance of Pacifying the Four Barbarians" was performed. For the fourth cup, "Melody of Heaven's Way Passed Down" was performed; wine and soup were presented as before, followed by "Dance of Chariots and Script Uniting." For the fifth cup, "Melody of Reviving the Imperial Net" was performed; wine was presented as before, followed by "Dance of the Hundred Performances Responding." For the sixth cup, "Melody of Golden Tomb" was performed; wine and soup were presented as before, followed by "Dance of the Eight Barbarians Presenting Treasures." For the seventh cup, "Melody of Long Poplar" was performed; wine was presented as before, followed by "Dance of Lotus-Picking Boys." For the eighth cup, "Melody of Fragrant Wine" was performed; wine and soup were presented as before, followed by "Dance of Fish Leaping in the Deep." For the ninth cup, "Melody of Driving Six Dragons" was performed, and wine was presented as before. The Court of Imperial Entertainments collected the imperial cups, and the order-keepers collected the ministers' cups. Soup and the grand meal were presented; grand music played; the ministers stood, and when the presentation was complete they sat again as the order-keepers served their food. When the meal was finished, its completion was announced and the music ceased. The meal was cleared, and "Dance of the Hundred Flowers Troupe" was performed. The clearing of tables was announced; the Court of Imperial Entertainments cleared the imperial table while the order-keepers cleared the ministers' tables. The completion of the banquet was announced; all ministers left their seats and stood facing north. Bows were announced according to the rite, and the ministers divided to stand east and west. The Office of Ceremonial announced that the rite was complete; the imperial procession departed, the music ceased, and all withdrew in order. The medium banquet rite followed the same procedure, but only seven cups were presented. The regular banquet followed the medium banquet, but with one bow and three kowtows, and wine service stopping at three or five cups.
44
凡宴命婦,坤寧宮設儀仗、女樂。 皇后常服升座,皇妃、皇太子妃、王妃、公主亦常服隨出閤,入就位,大小命婦各立於座位後。 丞相夫人率諸命婦舉御食案。 丞相夫人捧壽花,二品外命婦各舉食案於皇妃、皇太子妃、王妃、公主前。 大小命婦各就座位,奉御執事人分進壽花於殿內及東西廡。 酒七行,上食五次,酌酒、進湯、樂作止,並如儀。
For all banquets held for titled ladies, ceremonial guards and female musicians were set up at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. The empress in ordinary dress ascended to her seat; imperial consorts, the crown princess, princesses consort, and princesses likewise in ordinary dress emerged from their chambers and took their places, with titled ladies great and small each standing behind her seat. The chief minister's wife led the titled ladies in presenting the imperial food trays. The chief minister's wife carried longevity flowers, while outer titled ladies of second rank each presented food trays before the imperial consorts, crown princess, princesses consort, and princesses. Titled ladies great and small each took their seats, and attendants of the Palace Provision distributed longevity flowers inside the hall and in the east and west corridors. There were seven rounds of wine and five servings of food; pouring wine, presenting soup, and the beginning and stopping of music all followed the prescribed rite.
45
上尊號徽號儀
The Rite for Bestowing Honorific Titles and Commendatory Epithets
46
子無爵父之道。 漢高帝感家令之言而尊太公,荀悅非之。 晉哀帝欲尊崇皇太妃,江AN以爲宜告顯宗之廟,明事不在己。 宋、元志俱載皇太后上尊號儀,而不行告廟,非禮也。 明制,天子登極,奉母后或母妃爲皇太后,則上尊號。 其後或以慶典推崇皇太后,則加二字或四字爲徽號。 世宗時,上兩宮皇太后,增至八字。 上徽號致詞,而上尊號則止進寶冊。
A son has no proper way to ennoble his father. Emperor Gaozu of Han, moved by the chief steward's words, honored the Grand Duke—an act Xun Yue criticized. When Emperor Ai of Jin wished to honor the imperial grand consort, Jiang An held that the Bright Ancestor's temple should be notified, thereby making clear that the matter lay beyond his own authority. The Song and Yuan statutes both record the rite for bestowing honorific titles upon the empress dowager, yet omit notification of the ancestral temple—a departure from proper rite. Under Ming regulations, when the Son of Heaven ascended the throne and installed his mother empress or mother consort as empress dowager, honorific titles were bestowed upon her. Thereafter, when the empress dowager was further honored on celebratory occasions, two or four characters were added as commendatory epithets. In the Shizong reign, honorific titles were bestowed upon both empresses dowager of the Two Palaces, extended to eight characters. For bestowing commendatory epithets an address was delivered, but for bestowing honorific titles only the seal and booklet were presented.
47
上尊號,自宣宗登極尊皇太后始。 先期遣官祭告天地宗社,帝親告太宗皇帝、大行皇帝几筵。 是日,鳴鐘鼓,百官朝服。 奉天門設冊寶彩輿香亭。 中和韶樂及大樂,設而不作。 內官設皇太后寶座,陳儀仗於宮中。 設冊寶案於寶座前,設皇帝拜位於丹陛正中,親王拜位於丹墀內。 女樂設而不作。 皇帝冕服御奉天門。 奉冊寶官以冊寶置輿中,內侍舉輿,皇帝隨輿降階升輅。 百官於金水橋南,北向立,輿至皆跪,過興。 隨至思善門外橋南,北向立。 皇帝至思善門內降輅。 皇太后升座。 輿至丹陛。 皇帝由左門入,至陛右,北向立。 親王冕服各就位。 奏四拜,皇帝及王以下皆四拜。 奉冊寶官以冊寶由殿中門入,立於左。 皇帝由殿左門入,至拜位跪,親王百官皆跪。 奏搢圭,奏進冊。 奉冊官以冊跪進,皇帝受冊獻訖,執事官跪受,置案左。 奏進寶,奉寶官以寶跪進。 皇帝受寶,獻訖,執事官跪受,置案右。 奏出圭,奏宣冊,執事官跪宣讀。 皇帝俯伏,興,由左門出,至拜位。 奏四拜,傳唱百官同四拜。 禮畢,駕興。 是日,皇帝奉皇太后謁奉先殿及几筵,行謁謝禮。 禮畢,皇太后還宮,服燕居冠服,升座。 皇帝率皇后、皇妃、親王、公主及六尚等女官行慶賀禮。 翌日,外命婦四品以上行進表箋禮。 宣德以後,儀同。 正統初,尊太皇太后儀同。 天順八年二月,增命婦致詞云:「某夫人妾某氏等,恭惟皇太后陛下尊居慈極,永膺福壽。」 弘治十八年,上兩宮尊號,改皇太后致詞云:「尊居慈闈,茂隆福壽。」
The bestowal of honorific titles began when Emperor Xuanzong, upon ascending the throne, honored the empress dowager. In advance, officials were dispatched to announce the rite to Heaven, Earth, and the State Altars, while the emperor personally announced at the spirit tablets of Emperor Taizong and the late emperor. On that day bells and drums were sounded, and all officials wore court dress. At the Gate of Supreme Heaven, the booklet-and-seal ceremonial carriage and incense pavilion were set up. The Harmonious Central Court Music and grand music were prepared but not performed. Inner palace attendants set the empress dowager's throne and displayed ceremonial guards in the palace. The booklet-and-seal table was set before the throne; the emperor's bowing position was placed at the center of the red steps, and the princes' bowing positions within the red courtyard. Female musicians were prepared but did not perform. The emperor in full regalia took his place at the Gate of Supreme Heaven. The officials bearing the booklet and seal placed them in the carriage; inner attendants raised the carriage, and the emperor followed it, descended the steps, and mounted the imperial chariot. All officials stood south of the Golden Water Bridge facing north; when the carriage arrived they all knelt, and when it passed they rose. They followed to south of the bridge outside the Gate of Cherishing Virtue and stood facing north. The emperor reached inside the Gate of Cherishing Virtue and descended from the chariot. The empress dowager ascended to her seat. The carriage reached the red steps. The emperor entered through the left gate, proceeded to the right of the steps, and stood facing north. The princes in full regalia each took their positions. Four bows were announced; the emperor and all below the princes performed four bows. The officials bearing the booklet and seal entered through the central gate of the hall and stood to the left. The emperor entered through the left gate of the hall, proceeded to the bowing position and knelt, and the princes and all officials knelt as well. It was announced that the tablet should be inserted, then that the investiture document should be presented. The document-bearing official knelt and presented the investiture document; the emperor received it, and when the presentation was finished, an officiating official knelt to receive it and placed it on the left side of the table. It was announced that the seal should be presented, and the seal-bearing official knelt to present it. The emperor received the seal, and when the presentation was finished, an officiating official knelt to receive it and placed it on the right side of the table. It was announced that the tablet should be withdrawn and the investiture document proclaimed; an officiating official knelt and read it aloud. The emperor prostrated himself and rose, then exited through the left gate to the bowing position. Four bows were announced, and the call was transmitted so that all officials performed four bows as well. When the rite was finished, the imperial carriage set out. On that day, the emperor led the empress dowager to visit the Hall of Imperial Ancestors and the spirit tablet to perform the thanksgiving visit rite. When the rite was finished, the empress dowager returned to the palace, dressed in her leisure crown and robes, and ascended the throne. The emperor led the empress, imperial consorts, princes, princesses, and female officials of the six inner bureaus in performing congratulation rites. The following day, external titled ladies of the fourth rank and above performed the rite of presenting memorials and petitions. From the Xuande reign onward, the ceremony followed the same form. At the beginning of the Zhengtong reign, honoring the grand empress dowager followed the same ceremony. In the second month of the eighth year of the Tianshun reign, the titled ladies' address was expanded to read: "Lady So-and-so, your concubines So-and-so and others respectfully consider that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager dwells in the utmost seat of compassion and may forever receive blessings and long life." In the eighteenth year of the Hongzhi reign, honorific titles were bestowed on both palaces, and the empress dowager's address was changed to: "Dwelling in the compassionate inner quarters, may blessings and longevity flourish abundantly."
48
嘉靖元年二月上尊號,以四宮行禮過勞,分爲二日。 又以武宗服制未滿,莊肅皇后免朝賀,命婦賀三宮,亦分日。
In the second month of the first year of the Jiajing reign, when honorific titles were bestowed, the ceremonies at all four palaces were found excessively taxing and were therefore divided over two days. Because the mourning period for Emperor Wuzong had not yet been completed, Empress Zhuangsu was exempted from court congratulations, and titled ladies offering congratulations at the three palaces were likewise scheduled on separate days.
49
上徽號,自天順二年正月奉皇太后始。 致詞云:「嗣皇帝臣,伏惟皇太后陛下,功德兼隆,顯崇徽號,永膺福壽,率土同歡。」 命婦進表慶賀致詞云:「某夫人妾某氏等,恭惟皇太后陛下德同坤厚,允協徽稱,壽福無疆,輿情歡戴。」 餘如常儀。 后上徽號及加上徽號,仿此。 成化二十三年,禮部具儀上,未及皇太子妃禮,特命增之。
The bestowal of commendatory epithets began in the first month of the second year of the Tianshun reign, with the honoring of the empress dowager. The address read: "The succeeding emperor, your subject, respectfully considers that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's merit and virtue are both lofty; may her commendatory epithet be gloriously elevated, may she forever receive blessings and long life, and may all within the realm rejoice together." The titled ladies' congratulatory memorial address read: "Lady So-and-so, your concubines So-and-so and others respectfully consider that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's virtue matches the earth in its depth, that it fittingly accords with her commendatory designation, that her blessings and longevity are without limit, and that the people's hearts rejoice to uphold her." The remainder followed the regular ceremony. When an empress received a commendatory epithet or had one added, the ceremony followed this model. In the twenty-third year of the Chenghua reign, when the Ministry of Rites submitted the complete ceremony, it did not yet include rites for the crown princess consort; a special order was issued to add them.