Traditional Things in Korea: Hanji & Buchae

Did you know that Korea has its own type of paper?

Hanji (Korean paper) is made from mulberry trees and is famous for its durability, ease of use, and quality. Its origins date back to the 1st century BCE and were highly sought after by countries such as China and Japan. 

Books printed on hanji have been found over 1000 years old. 

Throughout much of Korea’s history, hanji has played an important part in recording events, spreading religion, and even being used in the construction of luxurious gifts for Korea’s noble class

Traditional fans in Korea, called Buchae (부채) come in two main styles: a more rounded and rigid style, and a folded fan. 

The folded fan, or Hapjukseon (합죽선), could fold the hanji up to 100 times and was reinforced with bamboo ribs.

These fans were elaborately decorated with paintings and some contained poems inscribed in calligraphy on them and transformed the hapjukseon into works of art. These fans were favored by the nobility and even royalty and given out as gifts. 

During a recent visit to a traditional fan museum, we were told that giving one of these fans was the equivalent of giving someone an expensive sport or luxury vehicle in modern times. 

Some of these fans even had silver or gold chains attached. The director recounted a story of a famous poet who presented a fan to a woman he loved.

Throughout the Joseon Dynasty, fans were also given out to foreign dignitaries during diplomatic missions. While they kept their users cool, they were also a status symbol and a part of the wardrobe of Korea’s aristocracy. 

The advent of modernization in Korea started the decline in the popularity of traditional Korean fans, and there are only a handful of workshops that still make the fans in the traditional manner. But in recent years, there’s been a renewed interest in Buchae and preservings its traditional techniques.

Traditional Things in Korea: Hanji & Buchae

Completed in 2011, you can learn more about the history of traditional fas at the Jeonju Fan Culture Center. You can even decorate your own fan if you want as well. It doesn’t cost anything to check out the museum, and there’s just a small fee if you want to decorate your own fan. The Jeonju Fan Culture Center is located in the Jeonju Hanok Village. Their address is listed here:

 

Address: Gyeonggijeongil 93, Wansangu, Jeonju

 

What would you decorate on your Buchae? Let us know in the comments below and tag us in your photos on Instagram