Sajikdaeje is a national rite given to the god of land and grain, while Sajik means the god of land, and Jik means the god of grain. In ancient times, when a country was established, a ritual was held to pray for the people to live comfortably in the land and grain gods. The memorial service for the resignation, which has been held since the Three Kingdoms Period, offers a glimpse into our ancestors' gratitude for nature.
King Taejo of the Joseon Dynasty established Jongmyo Shrine and Sajikdan Altar (Historic Site No. 121) along with the royal palace to set up Jongmyo Shrine on the east side of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Sajikdan Altar on the west, and Sajikdan Altar in each province to pray for the comfort and good harvest of the people. Sajikdan has assigned divisions (Taesasin and Futosin) and direct divisions (Tajiksin and Hujiksin) to the east and west). The ancestral tablets of Taiji and Taijik face north to the south of the Dansang, the huto god to the left of the Taoist god, and the latter to the left of Taijiksin.
Usually, ancestral rites were held in February and August, and a rain ritual was held in the event of a major national crisis or drought. The procedures and formalities for holding ancestral rites have changed little by little over time, but gradually we moved away from the stage of imitating the Chinese ways and had our own examples. Various kinds of grain including raw meat of cattle, pigs, and sheep are prepared today, and the rituals are held in the order of spirits, emperors, jinchan, choheonrye, aheonrye, Jongheonrye, Eokbokrye, Cheolbyeondu, Songsin, and Mangye (Mangye).
The music, dance, food, clothing, and rituals used in Sajikje, as well as our own ritual procedures for holding rituals, help us understand traditional culture. In 1894 (the 31st year of King Gojong's reign), the system was changed to the new government system, and was abolished by Japan's coercion in the 2nd year of King Sunjong's reign (1908). Since then, it was restored in October 1988 through the testimony of the late Yi Eun-pyo, who was the holder of the Jongmyo Jeryeondae. Currently, the Sajik Daejebongsa Committee, located within the Jeonju Yi Clan, preserves and inherits the Sajik Daeje.