‘Designation of Minam Choi Ik-hyun’s Official Clothing as a Folk Cultural Heritage’. The clothing and shoes of Minam Choi Ik-hyun (1833-1907), who led the anti-Japanese independence movement, have been designated as national cultural heritage. The National Heritage Administration announced on the 28th that ‘Minam Choi Ik-hyun’s official clothing’ has been designated as a national folk cultural heritage.,
,
,
Minam Choi Ik-hyun’s official clothing – samu,
,
, ‘Choi Ik-hyun vehemently opposed the Treaty of Amity and the Unequal Treaties with Japan. When the Unequal Treaties were enforced in 1895, he said, “I would rather lose my head than cut my hair,” and was imprisoned for his opposition.,
,
, “In 1905, following the signing of the Eulsa Treaty, he distributed a document called ‘Uigyorak’ criticizing Japan’s betrayal and gathered independence fighters in Taeyin (Jeongeup), Jeonbuk Province. He fought against government and Japanese forces in Sunchang but was defeated and exiled to Daemado in his 70s. He passed away from illness after repeated hunger strikes.”,
,
, ‘The heritage designated as national folk cultural heritage includes the danryeong (official clothing), samu (bonnet), sabsome (embroidered belt), hopae (identification tag), and mokhwa (wooden shoes). Each item, reflecting late 19th-century attire research as well as craftsmanship and material research, holds significant value as empirical data.’,
,
, ‘Danryeong was the attire worn by officials. Choi Ik-hyun wore it during his tenure as a Danghagwan from 1855 to 1870. The National Heritage Administration explained, “It possesses the form and production style of danryeong worn by late Joseon Danghagwan officials.”,
,
, ‘Samu is a bonnet worn with official attire. It is estimated that Choi Ik-hyun began wearing it around 1870 when he received the position of Danghagwan. Its academic value is high as it allows confirmation of materials and production techniques of the time, including bamboo and hanji (traditional Korean paper). The National Heritage Administration elaborated, “Thin, square-patterned fabric is double-layered on both sides of the horn.”‘,
,
,
Minam Choi Ik-hyun’s official clothing – danryeong,
,
, ‘Sabsome is a belt worn around the waist. It is decorated with engraved patterns on a panel attached to the belt. Choi Ik-hyun’s sabsome is believed to be made of cellulose nitrate, a synthetic material invented in the 19th century known as plastic precursor, imitating the pattern of a sea turtle’s shell. The National Heritage Administration evaluated it as a trace revealing changes in late 19th-century craftsmanship.’,
,
, “Hopae is equivalent to modern identification cards. It was issued to males aged 16 and older during the Joseon era. Choi Ik-hyun’s hopae bears the inscription ‘Eulmyo (1855)’ along with his name, providing information on its production date and wearer.”,
,
, ‘Mokhwa is a type of shoe with a long neck worn with official attire. Choi Ik-hyun wore a pair made during the transitional period of the late 1870s to early 1880s when the sole shape changed from covering the front toes to a flat shape.’,
,
,