By Sookmyung Women’s University Museum
Sookmyung Women's University Museum
Women, Lives and Thoughts
Women were not allowed to work in public service and had little chance of an education. This is why there are relatively few writings and paintings by women. Letters written in Hangeul, including private correspondence from queens and princesses to their relatives beyond the palace walls, reveal something of their everyday lives and concerns, subtly expressed.
The Calligraphy of Women
Jawisutaek, Manuscript written by Princess Jeongmyeong (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 1682) by Princess JeongmyeongSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Jawisutaek is a collection of manuscripts written by the 80-year-old princess Jeongmyeong for her youngest son Hong Manhoe. These are extracts from ‘So Hak’, a book for children under seven.
Jawisutaek, Manuscript written by Princess Jeongmyeong (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 1682) by Princess JeongmyeongSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Hwagichisang, Calligraphy by Queen Sunjeonghyo Yun (Korea, 20th century) by Queen Sunjeonghyo YunSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Calligraphy by Queen Sunjeonghyo Yun (1894 – 1966) who was the wife of King Sunjong. It says that a balance of yin and yang brings good luck.
The Chinese Character Calligraphy done by Lady Lee Bang-ja (Korea, mid-20th century) by Lee Bang-jaSookmyung Women’s University Museum
This is the Chinese character calligraphy done by Lady Lee Bang-ja, the esteemed wife of Prince Lee Eun, who was the last prince of Joseon Dynasty. The letter means long life.
This is a white porcelain with pictures decorated with Lady Lee Bang-ja, the esteemed wife of Prince Lee Eun, who was the last prince of Joseon Dynasty.
Blue-and-White Porcelain Bottle_detail (Korea, mid-20th century) by Lee Bang-jaSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Seasonal record of Korean clothes and the record of national costumes of Korea (Korea, 19th century) by Royal Concubine KimSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Soonhwaguang Records
Seasonal Record of Korean Clothes and The Record of National Costumes of Korea were written by the Royal Concubine Kim during the reign of Hyeonjong, the 24th King of the Joseon Dynasty. Written in a court style in the Soonhwaguna Palace, where she stayed, these booklets are also called Soonhwaguang Records.
Ancients women dressed up in tune with four seasons, Not only the colors of clothes, but also textiles and accessories like hairpins, pendants and rings, were in harmony with distinctive features of seasons, Seasonal Record of Korean Clothes made a detailed record of textiles, colors and accessories from January until December. This is an invaluable material to studying the history of Korean women's apparels.
The Record of National Mourning Costumes of Korea recorded the death anniversaries of the kings and queens starting from the first king of Joseon. it also described the mouring clothes of the nation. Joseon Dynasty oppressed Buddhism, while encouraging Confucianism. Worshipping ancestors being the supreme virtue, queens of the court were greatly interested in death anniversaries as well as clothes for mourning and funeral.
Court Letter
Sealed letters of the court (宮中封書) are the greetings by wives of prince or king (妃嬪) to their homes (本宅). They are written by themselves or by court clerks on their behalf.
Court Letter (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 1888~1890) by UnknownSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Court epistles are divided into two: a short letter from the people to the court and a reply letter from the court to the people. The court letters were either royal writings from the king and queen or court women's writings on behalf of the royal family. They were characteristic of grace and politeness.
Court Letter by Wanheung, a court lady (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 1874) by UnknownSookmyung Women’s University Museum
This court letter to Mrs. Kim from Gwangsan, the first wife of Yun Yongu, written by Wanheung, a court lady.
Court Letter by Ms Ha, a court lady in the service of Queen Shinjeong Jo (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 1837~1843) by UnknownSookmyung Women’s University Museum
This court letter written by Ms Ha, a court lady in the service of Queen Shinjeong Jo.
The Puzzle-Type Character (Korea, 19th century) by UnknownSookmyung Women’s University Museum
This puzzle-type character is Combined in the form of Chinese characters with Hangul's vowels and consonants.
Letter of Regards
In the Joseon period, an essential education for women included learning hangeul (Korean alphabet) as well as learning how to write a letter of regards to one’s parents and practicing handwriting before they got married. Writing a letter of regards to one’s parents was one of the customary practices of filial piety, and it was a skill that was just as essential as sewing skills for women.
Jasonbojeon, The Book of Writings by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng Family (Korea, 19th century) by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng FamilySookmyung Women’s University Museum
This is the collection of writings by women of the Shin-chang Maeng Family (新昌孟氏家). Twenty-one women of the 7 generations wrote 33 pieces including advices, deeds, recipes, memoranda and miscellaneous writings in Korean. The collection ranges from 1588 to 1861 for 50 years.
Jasonbojeon, The Book of Writings by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng Family (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 1750) by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng FamilySookmyung Women’s University Museum
Letter From Dalseong Seo Family (maternal grandmother) To Maeng Ji Dae (grandson) in The Book of Writings by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng Family
Jasonbojeon, The Book of Writings by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng Family (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 1730~1744) by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng FamilySookmyung Women’s University Museum
Letter From Madame Lee To son in The Book of Writings by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng Family
Jasonbojeon, The Book of Writings by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng Family (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 1815~1843) by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng FamilySookmyung Women’s University Museum
Lette From Jeonju Lee Family (Mother) To Maeng Heum-gu (Son) in The Book of Writings by Women of the Shin-chang Maeng Family
Folding screen embroidered with flower, bees and butterflies (Korea, 16th century) by (assumably) Shin sa-im-dangSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Shin Sa-im-dang's Painting with Flower, Bees and Butterflies
These are assumed the pictures of flowers and insects embroidered by Shin Sa-im-dang. (申師任當,1504-1551) She is the poetess-calligrapher-painter of the Joseon Dynasty. Also embroidered are the peony for wealth, and stones for longevity. Painted are butterflies representing happy home and family.
The Pictue of the Crane (Korea, Joseon Dynasty 16th century) by (assumably) Heo NanseolheonSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Heo Nan-seol-heon's Painting with the Crane
Heo Nan-seol-heon (1563-1589) is sister of Heo Gyun and a poetess in the mid-Joseon dynasty. Her poetry contain desire to leave the world and to enter the immortal world. She also painted a crane that the immortal used to ride. This painting is assumed to her works.
Women, Lives and Thoughts by Sookmyung Women's University MuseumSookmyung Women’s University Museum
Planned by Sookmyung Women's University Museum
Photographed by Han Jung Youp(Han Studio)
Visual Edited by Kim Nahyun
