Bojagi
Encyclopedia
Bojagi or bo for short (also pojagi or bojaki) is a traditional Korea
n wrapping cloth. Bojagi are square and can be made from a variety of materials, though silk
is common. Embroidered
bojagi are known as subo.
Bojagi have many uses, including as gift wrapping
, in wedding
s, and in Buddhist rites.
The "Korean Beauty" postage stamp
series included a stamp in 1997 to honor bojagi as part of the rich cultural heritage of Korea.
(1392–1910), although their beginnings appear to be from the Three Kingdoms Period
. The earliest surviving example is from the twelfth century, and these early clothes were originally used in a Buddhist
context, as tablecloths or coverings for sutras.
Wrapping cloths used within the palace were known as kung-bo and wrapping cloths used by the general population were min-bo. The popular patchwork
bojagi often seen in museums today were only made and used by the common people.
royal court the preferred fabric in bojagi construction was pink-red to purple cloth, domestically produced fabrics. Unlike the used and re-used frugality of non-royal wrapping cloths, on special occasions that included royal birthdays and New Year’s Day, new bojagi had to be commissioned.
Different bojagi were used for covering different foods and at different seasons. While lightweight cloths helped air to circulate during summer, to keep food warm in winter bojagi could be padded and lined as well.
To prevent the bojagi from being dirtied from food, the underside is often lined with oiled paper.
The embroidery was done with spun thread, on a cotton or silk ground. The subo fabric was then lined, and possibly padded.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n wrapping cloth. Bojagi are square and can be made from a variety of materials, though silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
is common. Embroidered
Embroidery
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins....
bojagi are known as subo.
Bojagi have many uses, including as gift wrapping
Gift wrapping
Gift wrapping refers to the act of enclosing a gift in some sort of material. Wrapping paper is a kind of paper designed for gift wrapping. Gifts may also be wrapped in a box...
, in wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
s, and in Buddhist rites.
The "Korean Beauty" postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
series included a stamp in 1997 to honor bojagi as part of the rich cultural heritage of Korea.
History
Bojagi flourished during the Joseon DynastyJoseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
(1392–1910), although their beginnings appear to be from the Three Kingdoms Period
Three Kingdoms of Korea
The Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium...
. The earliest surviving example is from the twelfth century, and these early clothes were originally used in a Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
context, as tablecloths or coverings for sutras.
Wrapping cloths used within the palace were known as kung-bo and wrapping cloths used by the general population were min-bo. The popular patchwork
Patchwork
Patchwork or "pieced work" is a form of needlework that involves sewing together pieces of fabric into a larger design. The larger design is usually based on repeat patterns built up with different colored shapes. These shapes are carefully measured and cut, straight-sided, basic geometric shapes...
bojagi often seen in museums today were only made and used by the common people.
Dimensions
Traditionally, the size of the bojagi is based on squares measuring from one p'ok in width (approximately 35 cm), for small items, to ten p'ok for larger objects such as bedding.Court use of Bojagi
In contrast to the brightly coloured min-bo, which were made from fabric scraps, within the JoseonJoseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
royal court the preferred fabric in bojagi construction was pink-red to purple cloth, domestically produced fabrics. Unlike the used and re-used frugality of non-royal wrapping cloths, on special occasions that included royal birthdays and New Year’s Day, new bojagi had to be commissioned.
Commoner use of Bojagi
Min-bo or Chogakbo (조각보) seem to be the best known variety of bojagi, as the two terms are often used interchangeably in English-language sources. These cloths were created by the women of the household, from leftover scraps of fabric from other sewing, pieced together. Both symmetrical 'regular' and random-seeming 'irregular' patterned cloths were sewn, probably selected by an individual woman's aesthetic tastes.As food coverings
Patchwork, or chogak bo wrapping clothes are closely associated with food coverings. The mid-19th century to early 20th century examples that have survived until the present day, often have a small loop of ribbon attached in the centre of the square, to aid in lifting the cover away from food. Table-sized bojagi often have straps attached to the corners, so they can be fastened to the table, to secure items in place, when the table is moved.Different bojagi were used for covering different foods and at different seasons. While lightweight cloths helped air to circulate during summer, to keep food warm in winter bojagi could be padded and lined as well.
To prevent the bojagi from being dirtied from food, the underside is often lined with oiled paper.
For carrying items
Bojagi were used for transporting items, as well as covering, or keeping things together in storage. One such example is a 'knapsack' arrangement, where the cloth is wrapped and tied so that items can be securely transported upon ones' back.Embroidered Bojagi
Embroidered bojagi, or subo (수보), as the prefix su means embroidery, was another form of decorated cloth. A common ornament was that of stylized trees, varying in style from 'naive', to detailed depictions of flowers, fruits, birds and symbols of good luck. These cloths are closely associated with joyous occasions such as betrothals and weddings, used to wrap items such as gifts from the family of the bridegroom to the new bride, and the symbolic wooden wedding geese.The embroidery was done with spun thread, on a cotton or silk ground. The subo fabric was then lined, and possibly padded.