한국 보자기의 전통미에 관한 고찰 - 조선중기 보자기와 조각보를 중심으로 -

Abstract

Various inferences on how the aesthetic sense and color sense of the Korean people were formed can be made. However, it is safe to say that they were basically caused by Korean thought and the natural environment. It is highly advantageous and undeniable that Korean people have maintained a 5,000-year long history along with their time-honored artistic talents. It is remarkable that Korean thought has always been based on gentleness, perseverance and diligence. Such features have become a basis for excellence in crafts requiring a great amount of time for exquisite handiwork, etc. We are proud that we could step forward becoming one of the culturally strong nations by establishing a diverse and abundant cultural infrastructure with these conditions. In this sense, it is needless to say that beautiful, traditional cloths used for wrapping were made naturally. Their value lies in frugality; reusing every piece of clothing, and the perseverance of our ancestors weaving all of them stitch by stitch. The combination of beautiful colors naturally resulted from the four distinctive seasons and plenty of sunshine in Korea. The traditional cloth for wrapping, which was woven overnight and based on the aesthetic sense of generations, represents beauty itself. During the Chosun Dynasty, women’s work with fabric included creating wrapping cloths as well as weaving, natural dyeing, embroidery, knotting, etc. However, the cloth used for wrapping is the best among them. These days old things are being forgotten, but people are showing more interest in these wrapping cloths and more and more relevant studies are being conducted accordingly. The combination of colors is closely associated with the Chinese principle of Yin-Yang, but there are many wrapping cloths with unique patterns and colors. It is believed that ordinary people could make them freely and project their free minds and thought into their work without formality or stereotype. Wrapping cloths are considered to be mirrors reflecting the lives of Korean women. They can be elastically adjusted for things of different sizes, and can be easily folded or tied when not in use. They can be also used as a rug when sitting on the ground or as a head covering for protection from the sun. To this date women still prefer to use them for various purposes, for example, to cover their shoulders against the cold, decorate things, etc. The philosophy and aesthetics of life contained in these cloths represent the life and wisdom of our ancestors. It is meaningful to appreciate the beauty of a variety of wrapping cloths made between the 18th and 19th centuries including those estimated to be made in the 1600s from the royal families of the Chosun Dynasty and to savour the wisdom and aesthetics of our ancestors. Every effort to study wrapping cloths offers an opportunity to review the comfort, mentality and aesthetics that our ancestors had. Therefore, it should serve as a momentum not to study these wrapping cloths merely as a tool, but to discover aesthetic logic anew and to see women's culture from a sociological perspective. Thus, male-oriented cultural values can be compared equally with those of our female culture, and the history of Korean culture should be properly reestablished.