The Ojuk Bokam Belt Bag has a design that is an homage to the gwijumeoni, one of the traditional portable pouches of Korea and has an accent point made of Ojuk, which was considered to be sacred. It is a mini bag that inherited the meaning of the bokjumeoni, the traditional portable pouches that wished for luck. The characteristic of this item is that it can be used in various ways depending on how you want to use it, such as a belt, a cross bag, a clutch, etc.
Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag
A little luck that you have been dreaming
Ⅰ. The black bamboo, Ojuk and bokjumeoni unite.
The meaning of the traditional bokjumeoni
A pouch with various embroidery representing longevity and joy is carried to bring in good fortune
According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, traditional hanbok didn’t have pockets to carry belongings in, so people made and carried pouches. However, bokjumeoni was not for the practical purpose of carrying one’s belongings. Rather, it was given as a present at the beginning of the new year or on special days and held the meaning of wishing for good fortune. It was said to chase away bad energy throughout the year and to bring all kinds of luck, so the custom of giving them out to relatives or children became popular. It is a small item but requires lots of care to make, and it is a cute item that has a talisman-like meaning, so it was considered a very precious gift.
The most common designs for bokjumeoni are the round-shaped durujumeoni and the gwijumeoni with its angular sides. Usually, Chinese characters with the meanings of life (壽)ㆍfortune (福)ㆍwealth (富)ㆍnoble (貴)ㆍjoy (囍), etc., or patterns that represent longevity and joy were embroidered on them to give them the meaning that these pouches hold good fortune within them.
Ⅱ. What is the bokjumeoni for Gongyeedam?
1. The form of holding good luck
[Source: Seoul Shinmun]
When we think of bokjumeoni, we first recall the happy memories of receiving money gifts on New Year’s Day for bowing to our elders and the cute shape of the pouch when the bottom becomes rounder as the drawstring gets pulled tighter, hoping that we don’t lose the money we had put inside.
So, Gongyeedam’s ‘Ojuk Bokdam Bag’ used the shape of the bokjumeoni, where the pouch gets narrower on the top than the bottom, as the design concept, leading to a round and wide shape on the bottom and a cinched top as its basic form.
2. The changed use
Traditionally, bokjumeoni as a New Year’s gift did not have the practical use of carrying items inside but held the meaning of wishing for one’s good fortune. Gongyeedam thought of the bokjumeoni as a small and cute but practical item that can bring you good luck every day of the year.
The Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag was made to be used in various ways, such as a belt bag or cross bag, but the belt can also be detached so that it can be used separately as a belt and a clutch bag as well.
3. The meaning of the bokjumeoni carried on through Ojuk instead of the traditional patterns for longevity and joy
Gwijumeoni [Source: National Folk Museum of Korea]
Bokjumeoni were embroidered with patterns representing longevity and joy to give them the meaning that they carry good fortune inside them.
We will look at the meaning behind the black bamboo ‘Ojuk,’ traditionally considered a sacred plant, through the story of Artisan Choe Seon-Hui, the Ojukjang successor and working of Gongyeedam’s [Ojuk Collection].
Like so, it is a naturally growing bamboo that grows in a spot that holds the spirit of fidelity and represents loyalty, filial duty, and fidelity. Considered sacred, it was usually just representative rather than being used for other purposes. Instead, regular bamboo was used by dying them to look similar to Ojuk, portraying the beautiful colors and feeling of Ojuk.
Using the traditionally sacred Ojuk in place of the patterns for longevity and joy that were symbolically meant to keep bad luck away, we tried to carry on the meaning of Ojuk despite the modern color and form befitting today’s trend.
Gongyeedam’s [Ojuk Collection] works with Artisan Choe Seon-Hui, the successor of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul in Ojukjang.
Artisan Choe Seon-Hui, works of the Gongyeedam’s Ojuk Collection, started as a student of the 15th Intangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul Master Yoon Byung-hoon since 1986 and became the successor of the 15th Intangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul.
For more than 30 years, the activity of transmitting Ojuk crafts continues on.
In 2008, she was awarded for ‘Jukjang Gyeongsang’ at the 33rd Korean Traditional Handicraft Competition of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
In 2009, she was selected as the master of Ojuk craft skills(2009-2).
Artisan Choe Seon-hui who has been operating the Hyeonjeong Ojuk Workshop since 2004, is currently training juniors at the Kyunggi University of Lifelong Continuing Education Center and engaged in various activities as a craftsman of Ojuk crafts.
Ⅲ. Materials and Size
The Ojuk's root is especially a rare part of Ojuk.
Ojuk is made into a button, adding a unique feel to the Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag.
※ If it is hard to lock the button, please grab a lower part of leather and press the button.
Then it can be easily locked.
The leather is an oiled pull-up vegetable leather that is very durable and boasts a vintage color with continued use.
Size
º Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag: Approximately 20cm wide, 12cm tall, 5cm deep / Belt 120cm
※ Size can vary slightly depending on actual measuring methods.
※ As with the characteristics of natural leather, vegetable leather can have minor scratches. Please understand that exchanges based on such reasons are not allowed.
Ⅳ. Product Composition
The Ojuk Bokdam Bag comes in two colors (tan brown, black).
Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag (Tan Brown)
Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag (Black)
INFORMATION
1. Shipping Delivery
Approx. 10-15 busdays
2. Return & Refund Policy
- If there is a defect in the product, other reasons for non-refund as stated in the detailed information
must be returned within 7 days upon receipt of received date.
- Unfortunately, we cannot exchange, replace, and/or refund after product is damaged due to use.
If you need to return or refund a product, please contact us before sending.
3. Customer Service & Other Inquiries
Please contact us via e-mail (gongyeedam@gmail.com), regarding to product or any other inquiries.
Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag
A little luck that you have been dreaming
Ⅰ. The black bamboo, Ojuk and bokjumeoni unite.
The meaning of the traditional bokjumeoni
A pouch with various embroidery representing longevity and joy is carried to bring in good fortune
According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, traditional hanbok didn’t have pockets to carry belongings in, so people made and carried pouches. However, bokjumeoni was not for the practical purpose of carrying one’s belongings. Rather, it was given as a present at the beginning of the new year or on special days and held the meaning of wishing for good fortune. It was said to chase away bad energy throughout the year and to bring all kinds of luck, so the custom of giving them out to relatives or children became popular. It is a small item but requires lots of care to make, and it is a cute item that has a talisman-like meaning, so it was considered a very precious gift.
The most common designs for bokjumeoni are the round-shaped durujumeoni and the gwijumeoni with its angular sides. Usually, Chinese characters with the meanings of life (壽)ㆍfortune (福)ㆍwealth (富)ㆍnoble (貴)ㆍjoy (囍), etc., or patterns that represent longevity and joy were embroidered on them to give them the meaning that these pouches hold good fortune within them.
Ⅱ. What is the bokjumeoni for Gongyeedam?
1. The form of holding good luck
[Source: Seoul Shinmun]
When we think of bokjumeoni, we first recall the happy memories of receiving money gifts on New Year’s Day for bowing to our elders and the cute shape of the pouch when the bottom becomes rounder as the drawstring gets pulled tighter, hoping that we don’t lose the money we had put inside.
So, Gongyeedam’s ‘Ojuk Bokdam Bag’ used the shape of the bokjumeoni, where the pouch gets narrower on the top than the bottom, as the design concept, leading to a round and wide shape on the bottom and a cinched top as its basic form.
2. The changed use
Traditionally, bokjumeoni as a New Year’s gift did not have the practical use of carrying items inside but held the meaning of wishing for one’s good fortune. Gongyeedam thought of the bokjumeoni as a small and cute but practical item that can bring you good luck every day of the year.
The Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag was made to be used in various ways, such as a belt bag or cross bag, but the belt can also be detached so that it can be used separately as a belt and a clutch bag as well.
3. The meaning of the bokjumeoni carried on through Ojuk instead of the traditional patterns for longevity and joy
Gwijumeoni [Source: National Folk Museum of Korea]
Bokjumeoni were embroidered with patterns representing longevity and joy to give them the meaning that they carry good fortune inside them.
We will look at the meaning behind the black bamboo ‘Ojuk,’ traditionally considered a sacred plant, through the story of Artisan Choe Seon-Hui, the Ojukjang successor and working of Gongyeedam’s [Ojuk Collection].
Like so, it is a naturally growing bamboo that grows in a spot that holds the spirit of fidelity and represents loyalty, filial duty, and fidelity. Considered sacred, it was usually just representative rather than being used for other purposes. Instead, regular bamboo was used by dying them to look similar to Ojuk, portraying the beautiful colors and feeling of Ojuk.
Using the traditionally sacred Ojuk in place of the patterns for longevity and joy that were symbolically meant to keep bad luck away, we tried to carry on the meaning of Ojuk despite the modern color and form befitting today’s trend.
Gongyeedam’s [Ojuk Collection] works with Artisan Choe Seon-Hui, the successor of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul in Ojukjang.
Artisan Choe Seon-Hui, works of the Gongyeedam’s Ojuk Collection, started as a student of the 15th Intangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul Master Yoon Byung-hoon since 1986 and became the successor of the 15th Intangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul.
For more than 30 years, the activity of transmitting Ojuk crafts continues on.
In 2008, she was awarded for ‘Jukjang Gyeongsang’ at the 33rd Korean Traditional Handicraft Competition of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
In 2009, she was selected as the master of Ojuk craft skills(2009-2).
Artisan Choe Seon-hui who has been operating the Hyeonjeong Ojuk Workshop since 2004, is currently training juniors at the Kyunggi University of Lifelong Continuing Education Center and engaged in various activities as a craftsman of Ojuk crafts.
Ⅲ. Materials and Size
The Ojuk's root is especially a rare part of Ojuk.
Ojuk is made into a button, adding a unique feel to the Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag.
※ If it is hard to lock the button, please grab a lower part of leather and press the button.
Then it can be easily locked.
The leather is an oiled pull-up vegetable leather that is very durable and boasts a vintage color with continued use.
Size
º Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag: Approximately 20cm wide, 12cm tall, 5cm deep / Belt 120cm
※ Size can vary slightly depending on actual measuring methods.
※ As with the characteristics of natural leather, vegetable leather can have minor scratches. Please understand that exchanges based on such reasons are not allowed.
Ⅳ. Product Composition
The Ojuk Bokdam Bag comes in two colors (tan brown, black).
Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag (Tan Brown)
Ojuk Bokdam Belt Bag (Black)
INFORMATION
1. Shipping Delivery
Approx. 10-15 busdays
2. Return & Refund Policy
- If there is a defect in the product, other reasons for non-refund as stated in the detailed information
must be returned within 7 days upon receipt of received date.
- Unfortunately, we cannot exchange, replace, and/or refund after product is damaged due to use.
If you need to return or refund a product, please contact us before sending.
3. Customer Service & Other Inquiries
Please contact us via e-mail (gongyeedam@gmail.com), regarding to product or any other inquiries.
