From olden times Korea has been widely known for its high-quality silk.
Koreans had already established silk production techniques in ancient times, which saw further improvement during the Koguryo dynasty, the first feudal state in Korea that had existed from 277 BC to AD 668, and the Koryo dynasty (918-1392).
Historical records show that Korean ancestors began to raise mulberry silkworms in ancient times by domesticating wild silkworms and obtained raw silk from them to weave silk stuff for clothes.
It is said that Korean silk was featured by silvery sheen, soft touch and delicacy and it was more expensive than gold.
It was distinctive in terms of weaving and patterning.
To take an example, pieces of silk cloth unearthed in ancient relics in the area of Rangnang District, Pyongyang, were embroidered with beautifully coloured threads and mostly knitted closely.
This showcases the high level of the early silk production techniques in Korea.
Koreans had also developed methods of processing silk threads and weaving beautiful silk cloth.
Given that hemp cloth was the first cloth that had ever been woven in Korea, hand loom was used to weave silk cloth, and it would be of a vertical style. The weaving methods included plain, twill and distortion ones.
Korean silk can be differentiated from foreign ones in the method of obtaining raw silk from silkworms. Koreans did not fully boil silkworms and completely remove sericin on the understanding that the silk cloth woven with the thread processed in this way would be as stiff as starched cloth and soft to the skin.
Herein lies the secret behind the comfortableness, delicacy and freshness of chima (skirt) and jogori (jacket), paji (trousers) and jogori and other traditional Korean wear in daily life.
Korean ancestors were the first to invent patterning.
Patterning methods thrived during the feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910) in which a variety of gorgeously patterned cloth was produced.
Silk cloth is the toughest, lightest and most beautiful among the natural fibres, and it gives coolness in summer and warmth in winter. It is also flexible and creaseless.
The traditional Korean silk production techniques are on the national intangible heritage list.
Kim Wi Hyok
More From Naenara (En)
The DPRK has lots of favourable offshore conditions for farming seafood like kelp, seaweed, abalone and trepang. The Eleventh
February 05, 2025
The DPRK has lots of favourable offshore conditions for farming seafood like kelp, seaweed, abalone and trepang. The Eleventh
Modern regional-industry factories have been built in Kumya County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK, under the guidance of the
February 05, 2025
Modern regional-industry factories have been built in Kumya County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK, under the guidance of the
Killing and destruction go on in the Middle East where the truce was declared. Days ago, the Israeli military conducted a
February 05, 2025
Killing and destruction go on in the Middle East where the truce was declared. Days ago, the Israeli military conducted a
Sin Yun Hyok, a Taekwon-Do practitioner hailing from Sunchon, South Phyongan Province, began his career at the then Taekwon-Do
February 05, 2025
Sin Yun Hyok, a Taekwon-Do practitioner hailing from Sunchon, South Phyongan Province, began his career at the then Taekwon-Do
It is well known that thick forests and parklands generate lots of anions that have good effects on human body. Anions help human
February 05, 2025
It is well known that thick forests and parklands generate lots of anions that have good effects on human body. Anions help human
Tanphung Village One day in April 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the January 8 Fishing Station which was nearing
February 05, 2025
Tanphung Village One day in April 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the January 8 Fishing Station which was nearing
A DPRK civil aviation delegation led by General Director of the National Aviation Administration Rim Kwang Ung left Pyongyang by
February 05, 2025
A DPRK civil aviation delegation led by General Director of the National Aviation Administration Rim Kwang Ung left Pyongyang by
A national photo exhibition, “By strengthening our revolutionary armed forces into an invincible army”, was opened with due
February 05, 2025
A national photo exhibition, “By strengthening our revolutionary armed forces into an invincible army”, was opened with due
In a bid to supply more fertilizer to farms, the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex is striving to increase production. Last year the
February 04, 2025
In a bid to supply more fertilizer to farms, the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex is striving to increase production. Last year the
The Disarmament and Peace Institute of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea made public the
February 04, 2025
The Disarmament and Peace Institute of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea made public the
The Regional Development 20×10 Policy is now in full swing in the DPRK. The Workers’ Party of Korea advanced the policy to
February 04, 2025
The Regional Development 20×10 Policy is now in full swing in the DPRK. The Workers’ Party of Korea advanced the policy to
is bounded by Pongsan, Unpha, Rinsan and Sohung counties of North Hwanghae Province. Nestling in midstream of the Sohung River
February 04, 2025
is bounded by Pongsan, Unpha, Rinsan and Sohung counties of North Hwanghae Province. Nestling in midstream of the Sohung River
The education support program Kkoma Paksa 2.0 is gaining popularity among parents as it has proved effective in developing the
February 04, 2025
The education support program Kkoma Paksa 2.0 is gaining popularity among parents as it has proved effective in developing the
The US, the world’s biggest war merchant, is getting more frantic in its arms sale to its vassal states than ever before.
February 03, 2025
The US, the world’s biggest war merchant, is getting more frantic in its arms sale to its vassal states than ever before.
The health tourism company under the Ministry of Public Health is riding high on its current tourism promotion campaign. Whereas
February 03, 2025
The health tourism company under the Ministry of Public Health is riding high on its current tourism promotion campaign. Whereas
At the Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held at the end of last year, the
February 03, 2025
At the Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held at the end of last year, the
The people of Jangphung County, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK, splendidly celebrated the inauguration of the regional-industry
February 03, 2025
The people of Jangphung County, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK, splendidly celebrated the inauguration of the regional-industry
The Phothae area in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province, boasts remarkable landscapes. The area is centred on Mt Phothae,
February 03, 2025
The Phothae area in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province, boasts remarkable landscapes. The area is centred on Mt Phothae,
Regional-industry factories have been successfully built in Orang County, North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. They include a
February 02, 2025
Regional-industry factories have been successfully built in Orang County, North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. They include a
The area of Mt Paektu (2 750 metres above sea level), located in Ryanggang Province in the northern highlands of Korea, is dotted
February 02, 2025
The area of Mt Paektu (2 750 metres above sea level), located in Ryanggang Province in the northern highlands of Korea, is dotted
More Articles
