Song Bang-ung, Master of Najeonjang, Passes Away at Age 80

Craftsman Cutting and Painting According to Najeonpae Patterns for Background Application
Recognized as Najeonjang Holder in 1990... Dedicated to Preserving and Passing Down Najeon Techniques

Song Bang-ung, Honorary Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 10, Najeonjang

Song Bang-woong, Honorary Holder of National Intangible Cultural Property No. 10 for Najeonjang, passed away early morning on the 20th due to old age. He was 80 years old.

The deceased was the son of Song Joo-an (1901?1981), a former holder of the Najeonjang title who was active in Tongyeong, Gyeongnam. From elementary school, he ran errands at the Najeon workshop and observed the work, and after graduating from high school, he began to seriously hone his skills.

Najeon (螺鈿) is a craft technique that involves thinly cutting shells such as abalone and clams, attaching them onto a wooden base, and then lacquering it. A Najeonjang is an artisan who completes Najeon lacquerware by cutting mother-of-pearl pieces into patterns and attaching them onto a lacquered base made by a lacquerware craftsman who applies lacquer to objects made by a white bone craftsman. From the Goryeo Dynasty, when Najeon lacquerware flourished, through the Joseon Dynasty, Najeonjang were government artisans affiliated with central government offices, producing Najeon lacquerware needed by the royal family and government. Although it faced the risk of extinction after the fall of Joseon, it was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Property on June 29, 1966, and is being preserved.

He was recognized as a holder of the Najeonjang title in 1990. Until he was acknowledged as an honorary holder this past March, he served as chairman of the Preservation Association of Skills and chairman of the Tongyeong Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation Association, dedicating himself to the preservation and transmission of Najeon techniques. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Presidential Award at the Korea Traditional Craft Competition in 1985 and was awarded the Bogwan Cultural Medal in 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Hwang Soon-ja, and son, Song Dae-jun. The funeral hall is set up at the Chrysanthemum Room of Sungnye-gwan on Chungnyeol-ro, Tongyeong City. The funeral procession will take place at 9 a.m. on the 22nd.

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