Early Ming Ritual Music System

Timeline

1. c. 1368–1370Yingtian Prefecture · ChinaAfter founding the dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Confucian officials such as Liu Ji and Song Lian to revise the music used for suburban sacrifices, court greetings, and investiture ceremonies, following the antiquarian ideals of the Rites of Zhou to fix the names of musical pieces, ranks of ritual dances, and instrument ensembles, laying the foundation of the early Ming state ritual music system.
2. c. 1370–1398Nanjing Court of Imperial Sacrifices · JiangnanThe Court of Imperial Sacrifices oversaw music and dance, and the Spirit Joy Academy taught yayue; at major ceremonies such as the southern suburban Temple of Heaven sacrifices and court audiences in the Hall of Heavenly Favor, pieces like the Music of Great Completion were performed, with eight- and six-row dances displaying the ritual order of imperial authority.