Weekender Traditional Crafts at a Glance
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
These days, traditional craftsmen might find difficulty in pursuing their time-honored methods and heritage practices because of a lack of awareness in this fast-changing modern society.
To show off their hardy souls and genuine craftsmanship, the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation is holding a special exhibition of masterpieces created by nine traditional artisans at the Korea House located in Chungmuro, Seoul.
Some 100 traditional artifacts ranging from earthenware to brassware and knots are attracting visitors. The exhibition offers an opportunity for them to not only appreciate the beauty of traditional arts but also buy items on the spot.
Cho Jin-young, a manager of the exhibition team, said that this was the first time to hold an exhibition of traditional crafts at the Korea House where about 700-800 foreigners visit every day.
``It is a good opportunity for us to show off the essence of traditional beauty through these artifacts that are melded by artisans' passion and devotion,'' he said.
The foundation has helped traditional craftsmen hold solo exhibitions every year at the National Palace Museum of Korea and other places including Insa-dong.
Cho said that many foreign visitors are mesmerized by the sophisticated artistry of ``hwagak'' (the traditional art of inlaying ox-horn pieces) and ``najeon'' (mother-of-pearl inlay lacquerware).
``We hope the exhibition will raise awareness about Korean traditional crafts as it offers various kinds of traditional crafts at a glance,'' he said. For foreigners' convenience, English, Japanese, Chinese captions are provided. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 14.
Wooden Furniture (Somokjang)
While ``Daemokjang'' refers to an artisan who is engaged in the construction of buildings such as temples and houses, ``somokjang'' is a carpenter making items of wooden furniture such as chest, dressers, desks and stationery cases, as well as wooden crafts. For example, a chest is made in the following process. After making the framework and doorframe of the chest, edges are cut at a 45-degree angle to carve out space. This technique allows for assembly of the different parts of a piece of furniture. The artisan then makes the frame and inserts the edges of the doors by putting persimmon and gingko board together, after which lacquer is added and metal ornaments are attached to it. Jo Hwa-sin, a candidate for Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 55, has five pieces of work in the exhibition.
Porcelain (Sagijang)
A ``sagijang'' is a craftsman making porcelain goods. Ceramic ware is classified as earthenware, Chinaware, and porcelain according to the temperature at which the pottery is baked. ``Sagi'' is the container in which white soil is mixed and then baked at a high temperature. After baking, a ceramic item is enameled and then baked again. Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 105, Kim Jeong-ok shows 10 pieces of ceramic works in the exhibition.
Earthenware Pottery (Onggijang)
An ``onggijang'' is an artisan making earthenware pots and jars. Two methods are used to make earthenware ― ``yunjeok,'' in which long strips of kneaded clay are arranged in layers to form a vessel; and ``gwonsang,'' in which the clay is shaped to make plates. After forming the clay, the vessels are alternately dried in the shade and in the sun. Then enamel is applied and an orchid or grass pattern is drawn on them before the enamel dries. Finally, they are baked in a kiln. Yi Hak-su, a candidate for Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 96, has seven pieces of pots and jars in the exhibition.
Brassware (Yugijang)
A ``yugijang'' is a master making various types of brassware. Depending on the manufacturing methods used, brassware is divided into ``bangjja,'' (hand-forged bronze ware)," cast iron, and ``semi-bangjja,'' of which bangjja brassware is of the highest quality. To make hand-forged brassware, a lump of brass is made from melted iron. Then several smiths pound the brass into the shape of the vessel required. Bangjja is used for gongs and tableware. Cast-iron brassware, known as ``tungsoe,'' is made by pouring melted iron into a frame. Semi-bangjja brassware is made by combining the methods used to make cast-iron and bangjja. Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 77, Kim Su-yeong is exhibiting 20 pieces of brassware.
Knots (Maedeupjang)
``Maedeup'' is not just simply a knot but the skill of making various kinds of knots and tassels attached to the lower part of it for accessories and decorations. Silk thread is the most common material used in making knots and it varies depending on the color, thickness and knotting methods used. The name of the knot also differs according to region. Generally, knots were named after many different things such as plants, flowers and insects seen in everyday life; including ginger and chrysanthemums, butterflies and dragonflies. Knots were also attached to musical instruments and palanquins for decorative purposes. Even when knots were of the same kind, where they are made or used determines their quality and degree of elegance. Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 22, Jeong Bong-seop presents 10 pieces of knot work at the exhibition.
Mother-of Pearl Inlaid Lacquer-Ware (Najeonjang)
A ``najeonjang'' is a craftsman who cuts luminescent shells into different shapes and dimensions, then inlaying them onto wooden objects or furniture and coating them with lacquer. An artisan uses the methods ― ``kkeuneumjil'' (cutting), the making of geometrical designs with pieces of mother-of pearl sliced like thread; and ``jureumjil'' (filing), the process of rubbing the mother-of-pearl into very thin pieces. Mother-of-pearl produced in the southern coastal areas or on Jeju Island is famous for its beautiful color and quality. Tongyeong, one of the southern coastal areas, is a major producer of lacquer ware with mother-of-pearl inlays. Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 10, Yi Hyeong-man will present 10 pieces of lacquer-ware at the exhibition.
Portable Dining Table (Sobanjang)
A ``soban'' is a miniature dinner table. Various types of tables can be found according to their origin, shape and use. In terms of origin, they are divided into the following categories: Haejuban, Najuban, Tongyeongban, Chungjuban and Gangwonban. Haejuban displays decorative features that are made by making holes in, and gouging the wooden legs, while Najuban is characterized by wooden rods that dovetail into legs and Tongyeongban is distinguished by cloud-shaped decorations carved into the legs. As regards the actual form of the table legs those made in Gyeongsang Province exhibit bamboo-knot shapes, those made in Jeolla Province are shaped like tiger feet and those from Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces are shaped like the paws of a dog. Yi Jong-deok, a candidate for Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 99, is showing seven tables at the exhibition.
Lacquer- Work (Chiljang)
A ``chiljang'' is a craftsman who removes foreign materials from raw lacquer, improving its clarity and polish, and purifying it. Raw lacquer contains moisture, leaves, and insects and can only be used after such a process. First, a small bud of cotton is inserted into the raw lacquer that absorbs it after one day. By squeezing the cotton, the foreign material is removed and a pure lacquer is obtained. If lacquer is placed on an iron plate and stirred with an iron spoon, any unwanted moisture will evaporate in the sunlight. Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 113, Jeong Su-hwa has seven lacquer works in the exhibition.
Ox Horn Inlaying (Hwagakjang)
A ``hwagakjang'' is an artisan making objects with ``hwagak,'' a transparent plate made from ground ox horn. Together with lacquer-ware decorated with mother-of-pearl, ``hwagak'' works were favored by noblemen and royal families because of the material's rarity and the difficulty of its production. A paper-thin ox horn vessel would be crafted and a pattern would be drawn on the back of it. Such items were also colored and painted. ``Hwagak'' is a traditional craft technique used for furniture such as wardrobes and chests. Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 109, Yi Jae-man unveils 10 pieces of work at the exhibition.