지난전시 게시판읽기(Headgear from Joseon Dynasty) | 이화여자대학교 박물관

Headgear from Joseon Dynasty: 전시장소Chang Budeok Memorial Gallery; 전시기간2020. 10. 05 - 2021. 06. 30

The Korean word sseugae refers to anything worn on the head. Ever since humans first began to dress themselves, headgear has been used to protect the head as needed. Afterwards, as civilizations developed and societies became differentiated, various types of headgear appeared that were designed to demonstrate dignity based on social status and ritual purposes.

The Joseon Dynasty established Neo-Confucianism as its ruling ideology, and an independent Confucian culture prospered based on the aristocratic yangban class. People considered their formal attire to be an important means of expressing courtesy. For example, the seonbi, or literati, wore a traditional Korean overcoat known as a po (袍) and gwanmo even when at leisure within the home. In the late Joseon era, gat (黑笠), the classic type of sseugae worn by yangban when going out, reached its mature form and the gwanmo worn indoors diversified. Meanwhile, a taboo on women leaving the house developed under the influence of Confucianism. Due to strict customs banning contact between men and women, sseugae for women were limited to face coverings to prevent being seen by men or a ceremonial gwan for rituals. However, various styles of winter hats to combat the intense cold were also worn by men and women of all ages.

This exhibition displays diverse types of sseugae from the late Joseon era by dividing them into those for rituals and those for everyday use. You can see various official hats worn by the king and government officials at royal rituals and the ceremonial gwan used by both nobles and commoners. Various kinds of exquisitely woven formal horsehair headgear are also presented, along with sseugae used to separate women from men seen in genre paintings. Winter hats that stand out for their beautiful curves and sseugae for children decorated with sincere wishes for their good health and longevity are displayed as well.