조선의 궁중 문화를 시각적으로 풍부한 자료와 치밀한 구성으로 소개한 이 책은, 서울의 궁궐이나 종묘제례 등 단편적으로 알려져 있던 조선의 궁중 문화와 생활을 좀더 내밀하게 보여준다. ‘조선의 궁중 문화’라는 주제에 미시적으로 접근하여 궁궐 건축과 역사 유물과 왕실 생활사를 생동감 있게 펼쳐보이는 ‘새로운 한국 Korea 안내서’로서 손색없는 책이다.

목차
Discovery of Korean Culture Series
Introduction
Author’s Foreword
Part 1 The King's Governing Role: Symbol of Absolute Power
Chapter 1 Start of the King's Day
Chapter 2 The Royal Routine
Chapter 3 Decorum for Receiving State Guests
Chapter 4 Qualifying for Official Posts
Chapter 5 Royal Ventures Outside the Palace
Chapter 6 Military Training with the king
Chapter 7 Royal Archery : the Martial Symbol
Chapter 8 Plowing and Harvesting : Symbols of Men's Work
Chapter 9 The King's Attire : Symbols of Authority and Civilizing InFluence
Chapter 10 Sura-sang : the Royal Table
Chapter 11 Ailments Associated with Joseon Monarchs
Part 2 The Role and Life of the Queen, the 'State Mother'
Chapter 1 Becoming the Mother of Joseon
Chapter 2 The Queen's Pregnancy and Delivery
Chapter 3 The Queen's Role and Living Quarters
Chapter 4 The Queen's Attire : Symbols of Labor and Virtue
Chapter 5 Mulberry Leaf Picking and Silkworm Raising : Symbols of Women's Work
Chapter 6 The Queen's Dowager and Regency from \"Behind the Curtain\"
Chapter 7 Divorce and Deposal of the Queen
Part 3 The Life of the Royal Family
Chapter 1 Crown Prince : a Sun Yet to Rise
Chapter 2 The King's Sons, Daughters, Sons-in-Law and Daughters-in-law
Chapter 3 Life as Royal Relatives
Chapter 4 Royal Family Privileges
Part 4 The Palatial Residences
Chapter 1 Gyeongbokgung : For a New Dynasty
Chapter 2 Changdeokgung : Main Stage for Joseon History
Chapter 3 Palace Attendants and Government Offices in the Capital
Chapter 4 Special Palace Customs and Games
Chapter 5 Measures for Preventing and Fighting Fires
Chapter 6 Palace Emergencies
Chapter 7 The Palace Defenses
Part 5 Customs Related to the Deaths of Kings and Queens
Chapter 1 The King's Last Moments and Funeral Preparations
Chapter 2 Assessing the King's Life and Accomplishments
Chapter 3 The Royal Tomb : Underground Palace for Kings and Queens
Chapter 4 The State Funeral : Final Sendoff for the King
Part 6 Palace Rites to Ancestral Spirits
Chapter 1 Spirit Tablets for Deceased King and Queens
Chapter 2 The \"Spirit Hall\" : Center Stage for 3-year Mourning
Chapter 3 Royal Ancestral Temple Enshrinement : Announcing the End of National Mourning
Chapter 4 The Royal Ancestral Temple : Most Hallowed Ground in a Confucian State
Chapter 5 Worshipped for Eternity : Ancestral Spirits and the \"Immutalbe Position\"
Part 7 Tradition of Historiography for the Joseon Kings and Royal Family
Chapter 1 Veritable Records of Joseon : Epitome of Annals Compilation
Chapter 2 Diary of the Royal Secretariat and Record of Daily Reflection
Chapter 3 The State Event Manuals, Records of Royal Family Ceremonies
Chapter 4 The Royal Clan Genealogy
Appendices
Gyeongbokgung Today
Changdeokgung Today
Joseon Dynastic Lineage
Map of Joseon
Map of Hanyang
Glossary - Index