Clothing and Shoes Bearing the Spirit of Patriot Choe Ik-hyeon Designated as National Heritage

'Myeonam Choi Ik-hyeon Official Uniform Collection' Designated as Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage

The clothes and shoes of Myeonam (勉菴) Choi Ik-hyeon (1833?1907), who led the anti-Japanese militia movement, are being preserved as national heritage. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 28th that the 'Myeonam Choi Ik-hyeon Official Uniform Set' has been designated as a National Folk Cultural Heritage.

Myeonam Choi Ik-hyun Official Uniform Set - Samo

Choi Ik-hyeon was a patriotic activist who vehemently opposed the commercial treaty with Japan and the short hair decree. When the short hair decree was issued in 1895, he opposed it by saying, "I would rather have my neck cut than my hair cut," and was imprisoned.

After the Eulsa Treaty was signed in 1905, he distributed the 'Uigyeosoryak (義擧疏略),' which questioned Japan's betrayal in sixteen articles called 'Gibon Ilbon Jeongbu (寄日本政府),' and gathered militia forces in Taein (Jeongeup), Jeonbuk Province. He fought against government troops and Japanese forces in Sunchang but was defeated and exiled to Tsushima Island in his seventies. He died of illness after repeated fasting.

The heritage designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage includes five items: Danryeong (official robe), Samo (hat), Sapgeumdae (decorative belt), Hopae (identification tag), and Mokhwa (wooden shoes). Each holds great value as empirical materials for studying late 19th-century clothing, as well as craft techniques and materials.

Danryeong is a garment worn by government officials. Choi Ik-hyeon wore it during his tenure as a lower-ranking official from 1855 to 1870. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "It possesses the form and production style of the Danryeong worn by lower-ranking officials in the late Joseon period."

Samo is a type of official hat worn with the official uniform. It is estimated that Choi Ik-hyeon wore it from 1870, when he was appointed to a higher-ranking official position. The materials and production techniques of the time, such as bamboo and hanji (traditional Korean paper), can be confirmed, giving it high academic value. The Cultural Heritage Administration added, "Thin and loosely woven plain fabric is layered over the two horns, creating a shimmering pattern."

Myeonam Choi Ik-hyun Official Uniform Set - Danryeong

Sapgeumdae is a belt worn around the waist. It is decorated by attaching engraved plates around the belt. Choi Ik-hyeon's Sapgeumdae is notable for being made of a material presumed to be cellulose nitrate (a synthetic material invented in the 19th century and a precursor to plastic), introduced to Joseon during the opening of ports, and designed to resemble the pattern of a sea turtle's shell. The Cultural Heritage Administration evaluated it as "a trace that offers insight into the changes in craft techniques at the end of the 19th century."

Hopae is the equivalent of today's resident registration card. It was issued to males aged sixteen and older during the Joseon Dynasty. Choi Ik-hyeon's Hopae bears the inscription 'Eulmyo (1855)' and his name, indicating the production date and wearer.

Mokhwa are wooden shoes with a high shaft worn with official uniforms. Choi Ik-hyeon wore a pair made during the transitional period (1870s?1880s) when the sole design changed from extending to the toe to a flat shape.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.