By Kim Rahn
Not many people know that in Gangnam, the nation’s trendiest district, are two institutions committed to preserving tradition.
The Museum of Korean Embroidery and the Training Center for Important Cultural Properties are not big in size, but are significant in terms of the traditions they have kept, valued more highly by foreigners than Koreans.
It is quite difficult to find the embroidery museum, located in the middle of similarly-tall buildings near Hakdong Station, because the privately-run museum has not been allowed to install a public signboard on the road.
The size of the exhibit hall is also small, as it is difficult for the museum operator, an individual collector, to afford a big space without receiving admission fees ― yes, entry is free.
But the embroidery works the museum displays may surprise visitors. They show the artistry of women from the Joseon Kingdom, such as their impressive sewing skills, ranging from folding screens and blinds to fabric for wrapping, garments and accessories.
Due to the small size of the hall, the museum displays embroidery items under a single theme that changes every year in rotation. Until the end of September, a collection of some 70 pieces are on display under the theme of “Pouches that hold luck.”
Several types of pouches are categorized by their use: those for spoons and chopsticks, for writing brushes, for incense, for glasses, for needles, and for patterns of traditional Korean socks. They are all embroidered with colorful designs and letters.
Besides such pouches for daily use, two used during a Buddhist ceremony, designated as major folklore relics, have been made public for the first time.
The museum is more recognized among foreigners than Koreans, as they make up 80 percent of the visitors. “As we Koreans have seen embroidery works in daily life, we haven’t realized their value. Foreigners are rather touched by the beauty,” curator Lee Hye-kyu said.
It has been invited to hold many exhibitions at museums overseas, the most recent one in Spain last November and an upcoming one in Kyoto, Japan, in September. “Only China, Korea and Japan have the culture of using fabric to wrap things for carrying. But Korea is the only country to use a patchwork wrapping cloth, and the Japanese are interested in the specific type of wrapping fabric,” said Lee.
The museum opens between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. To get there, go out of exit 10 of Hakdong Station, line 7, turn left and walk straight for about 50 meters, then turn right and it’s on your right. The website is www.bojagii.com.