Maedeupjang

Decorative knot craft

Maedupjang (2016) by Jeong, Bong-seopNational Intangible Heritage Center

Maedupjang (2016) by Jeong, Bong-seopNational Intangible Heritage Center

Maedeupjang(Decorative Knot craft skill Holder)

Humankind comes from nature and returns to it. Not only human begins but also every living creature that exists has a starting point from which it is born, and to which it returns when its journey of life is completed. It tis the law of nature. Maedeup, or the traditional Korean art of decorative knots, demonstrates this law as piece of string originates at a certain point then creates wonderful, intricate shapes before finishing where it began, completing its cycle. Maedeup refers to a knot, or to the skill of making various kinds of knots and the Sul (tassel) that is attached to the lower part of a knot. Knot craft is characterized by the beauty achieved by the trinitarian union of Kkeunmok (made by twisting several silk threads together that have been dyed with natural pigments), Maedeup (a piece knotted with two strands into various organic symmetrical patterns) and Sul (a tassel at the end freely hanging down creates the final touch to highlight the colors and patterns of the entire work). 

maedeupjang (2016) by Jeong, Bong-seopNational Intangible Heritage Center

The art of Korean decorative macramé knotting often entails incredibly complex skills and techniques, which makes it nearly impossible to explain in words. Though the macrame knotting process begins by blending the middle of a string  to divide it into two parts of the same length, tying knots with both parts of the string to from a symmetrical pattern. When the macramé knotting is completed, the artisan must tighten the macramé knots to keep them from loosening. This macramé knotting creates an enigmatic elegance of balance with finely wrought three-dimensional patterns made from a single string. It geenerates countless fashion, house-hold and ritual items, used in both court ceremonies and the lives of the common people, to adorn musical instruments, fans, dresses, flags and palanquis. Also Maedeup’s beauty is an expression and reflection of women’s tender, loving heart that embraces and revers life. Silk thread is the most common material used in making knots, and it varies depending on their colour, thickness and the knotting method used, counted as about thirty three kinds. The beauty of Korean knot craft displaying finely wrought complex patterns knotted with just one silk string is evidence of the wisdom of daily life dramatically transformed into exquisite decorative art.

Choi Eunsun, Jung YeonsuNational Intangible Heritage Center

Jeong, Bong-seop, the holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage No.22 Maedupjang learned knot work from the first knot holder, her farther Jeong, Yeon-su (certified in 1968) and her mother Choi, Eun-soon (certifies in 1976). Traditional knot work has continued for 4th generation until to Park Seon-kyung (the assistant of knot work), her eldest daughter

Choi EunsunNational Intangible Heritage Center

Since the large pigeon that decorated the kiln, kite, flag and bonus require strong hand works, it was hard to do by women and there were many male knot masters in the past. Her mother, who married her father who did knot as a living, helped in making decorative knots which were used for costume, such as a small soother, a waistband, and a pouch strap. By taking over the family business she inherited all the nobility and tenacity at the same time.

Jeong Bongseop (2016)National Intangible Heritage Center

Since knot work must struggle with a thin yarn more than 10 hour a day, it is difficult to endure even with the meticulousness.  “There are lots of things to help as the knot is so handful. So, I was on my errand next to my parents when I was a kid. I did not intend to learn knot craft. I used to work on my errand and saw the works closely becoming familiar to the works and imitate myself when I was bored. Then, I saw that I was knotting one day.”

Park Seon gyeongNational Intangible Heritage Center

The genealogy of the knot that has followed the three generations continued the flow as it is, and the fourth generation is continuing with Park Seon-kyung who is the daughter of Jeong, Bong-seop. Although Park Seon-kyung has also been working for over twenty years, she still often gets a scolding from her mother. But, Park also accept her discipline without complaint, because her mother was perfect for everything.

Chrysanthemum Knot by Jeong BongseopNational Intangible Heritage Center

Chrysanthemum Knot
Jeong Bongseop (2016)

maedeupjang by Jeong BongseopNational Intangible Heritage Center

Butterfly Knot by Jeong BongseopNational Intangible Heritage Center

Butterfly Knot
Jeong Bongseop (2016)

maedeupjang by Jeong BongseopNational Intangible Heritage Center

Bak Yuso (Korea traditional instrument) (2012) by Choi EunsoonNational Intangible Heritage Center

Bak Yuso (Korea traditional instrument)
Deceased Holder of Importantant Intangible Cultural propertyChoi Eunsoon (2012)

Norigae (Korea traditional ornaments worn by women) (2016) by Park Seon gyeongNational Intangible Heritage Center

Norigae (Korea traditional ornaments worn by women) (2016) by Jeong BongseopNational Intangible Heritage Center

Norigae (Korea traditional ornaments worn by women)
Importantant Intangible Cultural property, Jeong Bongseop (2016)

maedeupjang by Jeong BongseopNational Intangible Heritage Center

Credits: Story

Maedeuojang (Decorative Knot craft skill Holder)
Master Artisan of Decorative Knot craft skill Holder, Jeong Bongseop

Publisher
National Intangible Heritage Center, Research & Archiving Division

국립무형유산원(National Intangible Heritage Center)
국립무형유산원 아카이브(National Intangible Heritage Center Archive)

�Ⓒ 국립무형유산원

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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