Antique Gate Latches Unfastened
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
A latch, or ``bitjang'' in Korean, refers to a lock, or strictly speaking, a crossbar of a gate made of wooden structures used in ``hanok,'' or Korean traditional houses in the past.
``Bitjang'' not only physically fastened the gates but also spiritually protected the houses from outside evil spirits, according to ancient beliefs.
The Lock Museum is displaying about 70 pieces of antique latches, which were mostly used in the late Joseon Kingdom.
Usually the traditional lock consists of ``bitjang'' and ``dunte.''
``Bitjang'' is a wooden or an iron stick used for locking the gate. ``Dunte,'' a hole-pierced wooden board, is fixed on the gate in pairs to put ``bitjang'' into it.
For its installation, ``dunte'' on the right side is fixed with ``bitjang'' inserted, and then the left one is fixed at the equal height.
``Bitjang'' is fixed firmly with a knot at the back and the middle.
In the Royal Court, the lock was installed across a big tree, depending on ``Janggunmok,'' or a separate frame fixed on the wall.
In larger towns, it was attached firmly to the inside of the gate, but in the countryside, it was fastened outside and served as a symbolic function.
``Bitjang'' were also generally installed on the gates of kitchens, warehouses, outhouses, and barns, for the purpose of keeping doors closed tightly against the wind or to keep animals away.
During the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), ``dunte'' were made in the form of spindles (of looms), bats, or turtles, birds and fish.
In Gyeongsang and Jeolla provincial districts, they were generally made in shape of turtles.
``Among animal symbols decorated with the dunte, turtles were popularly used at the houses of the noble classes,'' Kim Byeol-dabi, a curator of the museum, said.
She said that almost 80 percent of the dunte decorations were turtle-shaped as the animals symbolized proliferation, productivity and longevity according to ancient beliefs.
``Particularly, the upper classes preferred using the turtles as they believed that turtles would firmly guard the houses from evil spirits and protect their properties,'' she said.
Kim said that the exhibition focuses on the humorous aesthetics to explore their symbolic meanings.
The exhibition will continue to run until Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for Monday.
The Lock Museum is one of finest private art museums specializing in thousands of collections of antique locks, keys, key holders and furniture with locks from Korea and all over the world.
Opened in 2003, the museum located in Daehangno, downtown Seoul, includes many items long since fallen out of use in modern times.
The various exhibitions at the museum give the public a chance to experience a new interpretation and ponder cultural matters.
The exhibition of the latches is free, although tickets to other permanent exhibitions cost 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for teens and 2,000 won for children.
For more information, call (02) 766-6494 or visit www.lockmuseum.org.