HELLO from KOREA
Hello-Eng(3.3) - Korea.net
Hello-Eng(3.3) - Korea.net
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Culture<br />
35 _ Culture<br />
Over the course of thousands of years, Korea has developed an incredibly<br />
rich variety of cultural and artistic expression. In addition, it has<br />
blended foreign influences, especially Chinese, with indigenous elements<br />
to create unique beliefs, ways of living, literature and handicrafts. In<br />
modern times, Western influences have been added to the mixture to create<br />
a sometimes heart-stopping blend of old and new, contrasts and juxtapositions<br />
in the texture of Korean life.<br />
Traditional Crafts<br />
One branch of Korean art that grew directly out of the needs of Korean<br />
lifestyles is that of Korean handicrafts, many of which are still produced<br />
much as they have been for hundreds or thousands of years, though now<br />
for a slightly different market. Thanks to their quality of workmanship<br />
and elegance of design, Korean handicrafts today are prized objects when<br />
they are fresh <strong>from</strong> the makers' hands.<br />
Korean woodwork and lacquerware, which are among Korea's best<br />
known crafts, owe many of their qualities to the characteristics of traditional<br />
Korean living space. Koreans usually slept and sat on the floor and<br />
they still often do. Almost any Korean can sit on the floor comfortably<br />
for hours without their legs falling asleep. Old Korean furniture made of<br />
wood emphasized an economic use of space and simple yet appealing<br />
design. Only the best woods were used and pieces were connected<br />
through joining or framing, avoiding the use of glue or nails as much as<br />
possible. Accordingly, opaque paint was seldom used in finishing them;<br />
rather, the wood was rubbed with oil or painted with transparent lacquer.<br />
Articles of wooden furniture <strong>from</strong> the Joseon Dynasty (I392-1910)<br />
include wardrobes, chests, shelves, tables large and small, bookcases,<br />
cupboards, and other articles of daily life. Metal ornaments like hinges