Traditional Buddhist Paper Flowers Gathered in One Place... "Buddhist Traditional Jihwa Jang-eom Members Exhibition" to Be Held

"Flower Offering" Exhibition at National Bhikkhuni Association Hall, May 2-8
Works by Master Monk Jeongmyeong and Disciples on Display

An exhibition introducing Jihwa Jang-eom, the traditional Buddhist paper flower decoration, will be held.

An exhibition introducing Jihwa Jang-eom, traditional Buddhist paper flowers, will be held. The photo shows a work by Gamayeon. Buddhist Jihwa Jang-eom Preservation Society

The Buddhist Jihwa Jang-eom Preservation Society and the Korea Traditional Jihwa Preservation Association announced on April 28 that they will hold the "Buddhist Traditional Jihwa Jang-eom Members Exhibition" in the lobby on the first floor of the National Bhikkhuni Association Hall of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, from May 2 to May 8.

This exhibition is organized under the theme of "Flower Offering (Hwagyong)." Buddhist Jihwa works crafted by Master Monk Jeongmyeong, a master of traditional Jihwa in the Jogye Order, and her disciples will be showcased. The opening ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on May 2 at the same venue.

The Buddhist Jihwa Jang-eom Preservation Society was founded in 2011 to continue the legacy of Jihwa Jang-eom, an intangible heritage of Buddhism. They have worked to restore and nurture the transmission of traditional Jihwa, which is made by dyeing Hanji paper with natural pigments. In 2019, they established the Korea Traditional Jihwa Preservation Association as a nonprofit organization.

Master Monk Jeongmyeong has served as the chief decorator for the Lotus Lantern Festival, best known for its lantern parade. This exhibition will feature Jihwa decorations used for the Buddhist baby Buddha bathing altar in the Lotus Lantern Festival parade, as well as Jihwa used for traditional flower offerings placed on the altar in Buddhist temples.

The exhibition is also linked to the members' transmission training programs. Members undergo three years of Jihwa Jang training, followed by six years of Lotus Lantern Festival transmission education, and have created both Lotus Lantern Festival Jihwa Jang-eom and altar Jihwa Jang-eom works. The exhibition will present traditional Jihwa works, including lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, peonies, and peony roses, crafted using traditional techniques.

A representative from the Buddhist Jihwa Jang-eom Preservation Society stated, "We have continued education and cultural transmission activities to preserve the lineage of Jihwa Jang-eom, which at one point faded into obscurity," adding, "This exhibition is an opportunity to share the meaning of traditional Jihwa, which is offered with reverence and sincere aspirations."

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