Feature
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Ceremonial Attire and the Frugal Majesty of the Joseon Royal Family
Royal Weddings In the royal court of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), wedding attire varied depending on the period, the wearer's position in the royal hierarchy, and the stage of the ceremony. Rich historical information can be found in the wedding outfits worn by members of the Joseon royal household.
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Seonbi, the Moral Pillars of the Joseon Era
Korean Confucianism is most eloquently characterized by the central position of uiri (義理), a form of moral theory combining the two philosophical concepts of “righteousness” (義) and “principles” (理). At the heart of Korean Confucianism lies the principle of righteousness.
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Picturesque Scenes Stitched with a Needle
Embroidered Motifs on Clothing and Everyday Objects Jasu is the Korean name for the tradition of embroidering fabric with diverse designs using a colorful array of threads. It draws upon a rich repertoire of stitching techniques to express motifs from nature with a majestic aesthetic. Jasu was mostly used to adorn clothes and decorative items in Korea. During the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE–668 CE), clothing made from flamboyant fabrics and lavishly embroidered with colorful designs was in fashion among both the ruling classes and commoners. The Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392) saw a boom in the production of religious
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The Woldae, a Platform for Communication, Restored at Gwanghwamun Gate
Traditional Korean royal architecture often included a raised platform known as a woldae in an effort to elevate the magnificence and dignity of the building. Positioned in front of major palace buildings, woldae were installed at a lower level than the structures they were intended to dignify. A woldae platform could be narrower or wider than the building, and was often paved with bakseok (flat stone slabs). Woldae were mostly used as a space for royal ceremonies. Guests and musicians would be seated together on these raised platforms running along the front side of important palace buildings.
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A Century of Evolution of Korean Food
If we could go back in time 100 years to the early decades of the 20th century, we would see a Korea that lagged far behind the West in terms of industrialization and modernization. Korean food, however, could not be considered backward in the least. Through the five centuries of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), Koreans had made the most of the seasonal ingredients they could harvest from their local environment and used them to develop a rich and diverse culinary culture. The Joseon royal court was treating its party guests to a selected sequence of foods and drinks similar to a Western full-course banquet-centuries before such traditions emerged in Europe in the 19th century. Dishes served at royal feasts featured sophisticated cooking techniques and delicate flavors, and the events overflowed with stately formality and dignity. Everyday meals for the Joseon royal family were structured around traditional medical practices for preventing disease. Starting in the 17th century, many royal culinary traditions spread to the aristocracy and commoners as well.