Korea ppt-art of bojagi-korean wrapping cloth
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National Korean Studies Seminar Copyright 2014 Mary Connor and Sung Kim
Transcript of Korea ppt-art of bojagi-korean wrapping cloth
National Korean Studies Seminar
Copyright 2014
Mary Connor and Sung Kim
Bojagi represents an important dimension of Korean culture, past and present.
Bojagi flourished during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). One source states that their beginnings began during the Three Kingdoms period which existed between 57 BCE-935 CE).
The earliest known bojagi that has survived is from the 12th century. Buddhist monks were known to use them in their rituals.
Bojagi are pieced together by small scraps of cloth.
They are usually square and are in varying sizes.
There are many different types and uses for these wrapping cloths from storage, household items (tablecloths, bottle holders), transport, gift-giving, and celebrations.
Fabrics include cotton, hemp, ramie, and silk.
They were used by people of all social classes.
Wrapping cloths, called gunbo, were used in royal palaces and were usually red.
Jogakbo, used by commoners, were patchwork wrapping cloths. They were made using leftover cloth in various colors and shapes. Some are so beautiful that they were most likely for display rather than for practical purposes.
There were three types of wrapping cloths: single layered, doubled layered, and quilted wrapping cloths. Ribbons were attached to the cloths to secure and carry the wrapped objects.
Names of bojagi varied according to the objects they were to hold, such as books, food, tablecloths or wedding gifts.
While women made bojagi, they wished for the recipients’ good luck.
It was believed that something that was created with such care and skill would bring good luck, happiness, and a long life.
Symbols of good luck were often included in their work, such as bamboo (longevity), the peach (marriage), persimmon (joy), and the peony (wealth/honor).
Jeruzal, Carrie. Fall 2013. “ Using Korean Bojagi in the Classroom.” Education About Asia
Lee, O-Young. 1994. Things Korean. North Clarendon, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Publishing.
Schoettler, Joan. 2011. Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth. Shen’s Books: Walnut Creek, CA.
Suh, Jae-Sik. 2007. Korean Patterns. Seoul: HollymInternational Corp.
Websites: Bojagi artist: Youngmin Lee www.youngminlee.com/bojagi
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, Collections http://www.asianart.org
