The Folklore Costume Collection was formerly the Seok Juseon Memorial Museum, where opened on May 2, 1981 as the late Dr. Nan-sa Seok Juseon, a great master in Korean Traditional costume, donated 3,365 relics which she collected over a lifetime. This museum has contributed to the research of Korean costume history, leading investigation, research, gathering about excavated costume with the handed down costumes. Since the museum has opened, coustume related symposium and the special exhibition has holded. It has about 10,000 collections and there are 100 the Important Folklore Cultural Heritage designated by the State including the Semi-formal Jacket Worn by Princess Deokon. Folklore Costume field is comprised of exhibition hall 3 and 4 displaying handed down costume and excavated costume.

Primarily relics of Joseon Dynasty to the time of enlightenment period are displayed folklore artifacts, clothing, children’s wear, wedding costume, including national Important Folk Materials, etc. and costume of child mummy from Yoon family originated in Papyeong.

The Style of Woman in the Joseon Dynasty
Shaping the body thru reduction and exaggeration: the dramatic change of the female silhouette across time as seen in traditional jackets and skirts

In the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), women ‘s clothes have been changed and fashioned with chima(skirt) and jeogori(jacket) as basic and centered. Even within the strict identity society, they actively accepted fashion for beauty as a woman.

The 16th century
At this time, the female jacket is long enough to cover the waist. The clothes are wide and cover the body completely. The skirt with the jacket was tied around the waist.

The 17th century
After the Japanese invasion of Korea, practical changes began to appear in women’s clothing. Compared to the 16th century, it was smaller and shorter in length and wore a jacket that fits the body and a skirt that still wore around the waist.

The 18th century
Compared to the previous period, the length, width and sleeves of jeogori become shorter and narrower. Following the length of the jeogori, the skirt goes up above the waistline and the waist of the skirt is revealed and the figure of the woman gradually begins to be revealed.

Since the 19th century
The woman ‘s jacket is curved in various parts, and the femininity is emphasized. The length of the jacket became shorter, and the width and the sleeve became narrower. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, the shortest jacket was worn. The skirt was tied around the chest, and the skirt became longer and richer.

The Style of Men in the Joseon Dynasty
Explore the Fashion from the Celebrated Time of Korea: the Pursuit of Authority and Practicality

In the Joseon Dynasty, men ‘s clothes were subject to restrictions and regulations according to strict identity system. The men of the ruling class maintained various customs according to their position or dignity. It reflects the spirit and culture of the era based on the basic composition consisting of jeogori and pants that have been worn since the previous era.

The 16th century
Based on the system and culture of the pre-era era, the clothes were very large, wide and long, as a new nation to build their own style. In particular, a wide variety of coats were worn.

The 17th century
Practical changes begin to emerge after the Japanese invasion of Korea. Compared to the 16th century, it is a period of change in which the width and length are reduced and various coats appear and disappear.

The 18th century
In the stability of dynasty and society, costume culture including various coats also flourished reflecting the value of stability and practicality.

Since the 19th century
With the introduction of Western culture and the political and economic upheaval, clothing has become simplified and more practical. With the beginning of the 20th century, traditional and Western suits were worn together.

Seok Juseon Memorial Museum, Dankook University
Since our opening of the Central Museum in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Dankook University in 1967, Seok Juseon Memorial Museum has made efforts to excavate and disseminate the Korean history and culture. Conducting annual research from its foundation, the museum have investigated a numbers of cultural properties. It includes silla stele in Danyang Jeokseong(National Treasure No.198) and Goguryeo stele in Chungju(National Treasure No.205), which were respectively excavated in 1978 and 1979. In addition, we were involved in much excavation in GuPyeongni, Mongchontoseong, Yangyang Jinjeonsaji. Those works made huge contributions to Korean history studies.

In 1981, the major donation by the Late Dr. Nan-Sa Seok Ju-seon of 3,365 pieces of her lifelong collections prompted the establishment of Seok Juseon Memorial Folk Museum. The folk museum built such outstanding prestige in Korean traditional costume studies by organizing the donated works as well as researching materials about children’s and excavated costumes.

In March 1999, the Central Museum and Seok Juseon Memorial Folk Museum were combined to a new organization, Seok Juseon Memorial Museum. This new museum expansively covered ancient art and traditional costume, which consolidated its position as a comprehensive museum. Now, we have more than 40,000 objects including 100 pieces(from 11 main excavations) designated Important Folklore Material such as An chung-gun’s Calligraphy(Treasure 569-21), Dang-ui(Ceremonial Jacket) of Princess Deok-on(Important Folklore Material No.1)

Seok Juseon Memorial Museum has the five exhibition rooms for proper presentation and the state-of-the-art storage rooms with the automatic thermohygrostat and extinguishing systems for safe preservation of the artworks. It is highly recognized as the best facilities for a University Museum. Recently, the museum strives for social education and cultural diffusion, providing our collection database, children’s fashion shows and educational programs for communication with local societies. Besides we focus on promoting the excellence of Korean culture to other countries, linked to Google Korea.

Seok Juseon Memorial Museum will continue to create high-quality exhibitions, educational programs and researches. Such endeavors will lead us to perform an important role as a multiple cultural place. All this, as well as Seok Juseon Memorial Museum pledges to progressively take a great leap to a world-class university museum that spreads the fabulous beauty of Korean culture all over the world.