• (The) Research of the performance art and culture
• /
• no.35
• /
• pp.125-174
• /
• 2017

The Cheondeok-Song (religious songs of Cheondo-Gyo) of the Japanese colonial period shown on Cheondo-Gyohwe-Weolbo, the monthly magazine of Cheondo-Gyo Church were examined in this paper. The results are as follows. There are scores of songs, lyrics, and articles related to Cheondeok-Song in the monthly magazine. The five-tone scale or Korean traditional rhythm style was partly used, but western music form was dominant in most of the songs. Especially the four-part form of Christian hymns became usual since 1931. This shows how people thought of the new trends. The reception of the new trends being emphasized, but they recognized tradition as an object of overcoming rather than of succeeding. The lyrics contain religious contents and the spirit of the period to restore national self-respect and contribute to the world peace through overcoming Japanese imperialism. But the rhythm of seven and five syllables which is suspected to have been introduced by Japan was spread after the 1920s. Cheondeok-Song have been sung in the three grand anniversaries and other anniversaries, the Prayer-day, in Cheondo-Gyo church services on Sunday, ceremonies, and in lecture. There are various kinds of songs and their status is very high. Especially, Cheondeok-Song have been used actively in mission works and edification for women. Cheondeok-Song actively reflected the domestic and international trends and the demands of that times. They could sing self perfection through enlightenment and also the social reform based on it. These are the reasons why I think Cheondeok-Song of those days are so important. Cheondeok-Song reflected modern elements actively, but couldn't succeed the national form and the traditional elements properly. The problem of cultural identity is not only a specific group's but also that of the whole humanity of maintaining cultural diversity. This is also a task that Cheondo-Gyo Cheondeok-Song have to solve in the future.