Macheonmok Jwamyeonggongsinnokgwon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1469

Category

Books & Records

Era

태종1년(1401)

Designated year

2006

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 효자로 12, 국립고궁박물관 (세종로,국립고궁박물관)

Coordinates

37.576571, 126.974851

This certificate of meritorious subject was issued by the Gongsindogam (Government Office of Records for Meritorious Subjects) in 1401 (the first year of the reign of King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty) to Ma Cheon-mok, a military official with the official rank of Jeolchungjanggun. The certificate of meritorious subject is a special recognition awarded to those who distinguished themselves in the second Prince’s Rebellion in the early Joseon Dynasty. Ma Cheon-mok assisted Prince Jeongan, who later became King Taejong (1367-1422), in his struggle to quell the rebellion and was awarded this special recognition. Following the example of King Taejo of the Joseon Dynasty, who upon his enthronement gave special recognition to meritorious subjects for their distinguished services in founding the Joseon Dynasty, Taejong also selected forty-seven meritorious subjects and awarded them the title of Jwamyeonggongsin. The meritorious subjects were classified into four ranks. Ma Cheon-mok was awarded the 3rd rank. This certificate of meritorious subject awarded to Ma Cheon-mok is one of the forty-seven originally issued by Taejong, and is the only extant copy. Compared with the royal certificate of meritorious subjects awarded in recognition of distinguished services in the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty and the lower level royal certificate of meritorious subjects awarded for distinguished services in assisting the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty, this particular royal certificate retains its original prescribed form, with the only difference being that it was issued by Uijeongbu (State Council of Joseon) rather than Dopyeonguisasa (Privy Council of Goryeo, renamed to Uijeongbu later by King Jeongjong of Joseon) and therefore provides valuable information in relation to the system of awarding royal certificates of meritorious subjects and changes in its form. In addition, the titles of the meritorious subjects and the details of the rewards and special privileges granted according to the rank of each meritorious subject provide important information concerning the study of meritorious subjects, while the details of the members of the Gongsindogam provide valuable information regarding the latter’s organizational structure and operations. Most of the royal certificates issued during the early Joseon Dynasty were lower level certificates, i.e. ones that were awarded to persons who assisted the meritorious subjects in their distinguished services. This particular certificate awarded to Ma Cheon-mok, together with the Certificate of Meritorious Subject Issued to Yi Hwa (National Treasure No. 232), is of considerable historical interest as it is the only extant royal certificate issued to an official meritorious subject during the early Joseon Dynasty.

Location