By Cho Jae-hyon
Staff Reporter
Awestruck by the sight of the sharp glint of a royal sword in his early 20s, Lee Sang-seon, 57, has since crafted traditional Korean swords for decades.
The sword that left a strong impression on him was "saingeom," the "four tiger sword," used by King Yeongchin, the seventh son of King Gojong, the last royal family of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).
"I saw saingeom for the first time at a ritual to mourn King Yeongchin when I was in my 20s. At the sight of the sword, I wanted to make the sword myself," Lee told The Korea Times.
Saingeom was a sword used by the kings of the Joseon Kingdom. The double-edged saingeom - usually of the same designs but of different strength ― must be made in the Year of Tiger. In particular, the quenching process should be done during the hours, days, months and year of the zodiac feline ― hence, its name.
"It's a very precious sword as it is not used by ordinary people, only by kings. It's used for Shamanistic rituals to slay demons," Lee said.
This year, the tiger dates come together two times ― Feb. 21 and March 5, when the tiger hours will be between 3 to 5 a.m. on both of those days, Lee said.
He said he finished the quenching of 45 saingeom on Feb. 21 and needs to do another final quenching process on March 5.
"I planned to make 57 saingeom this year, the same number as my age. But whether I can make them is uncertain as it depends on the degrees of the fire for quenching. In the process of quenching, some swords crack," he said.
Lee said he has prepared the works to craft the four tiger swords about five years ago and actually started works to forge them three months ago.
"I have finished about 80 percent of the process on the 45 swords," he said, "and I have to completely make 12 more saingeom on March 5."
Twelve years ago, he made 30 saingeom for the first time.
Lee said the swords are sold to souvenir collectors for different prices. "The prices differ widely, depending on accessories and the quality of the swords."
In 2007, Lee was named by the government as a traditional craftsman who will transfer the skills to the next generation. The designation entitles him and his son to a small amount of monthly state subsidies for three years.
Lee said making swords is a hard job, not only because of laboriously working near temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Celsius but due to the heavy regulatory restrictions on sword making.
"Sword making is tightly restricted; You have to report it to the related authorities to make and own them. At the same time, the buyers also have to report it," Lee said. "I have never seen any accidents involving swords. But we are tightly restricted."
Lee said Korean traditional swords are not as well known as Japanese ones.
"Swords making skills were transferred to Japan from our Baeje Kingdom. But Japanese swords craftsmanship is better known and preserved these days," Lee said. "In Japan, all kinds of sword making traditions have been well-recorded and inherited by the next generation. But we lack these kinds of recordings," Lee said.
Lee pledged to do his part to pass on the tradition.
"I will continue to make swords for the rest of my life. And this tradition should be transferred to the next generations," Lee said.
Lee said he is currently transferring his skills to his 28-year-old son.
"I have learnt the skills, looking for masters across the nation. But you know, the younger generation tends to learn it with relative ease. I'm concerned that my son is learning it too easily," he said.