subject: Korean Translators Teach Korean Handicrafts [print this page] Korean Handicrafts, including ceramics, glass, metal work, wood carving woven fabrics and other crafts provide a small glimpse into the history and tradition of Korea. They depict the rich cultural heritage of this East Asian country.
Kim Yung, a Korean translator by trade, is currently teaching a course on Korean handicrafts at the University of Illinois. He says that Korean metalwork started around 1000 B.C.- 700 B.C. Metalwork was generally used to make spears, knives and other tools that tended to be used for religious rituals. Some of the religious symbols included geometric designs, bronze mirrors, vessels made of bronze with themes of agriculture, assorted bells of various sizes and shapes. Many of the vessels have carvings on the backs, like birds in trees or farm scenes. Most of these metal objects were found in ancient tombs and caves in the 4th and 5th centuries AD throughout modern day Korea. The techniques used to decorate the metal were piercing, inlay and buffing.
Korean Pottery also plays an important role in Korean Handicrafts, according to the Korean translator. Korean It is used for making cooking and kitchen supplies and also for making articles for artistic expression. Plain pottery, comb pattern pottery, black glaze, red glaze earthen wares and Kimhae pottery were developed in the Pre- historic period.
Also developed in the pre-historic period, Korean Woodcrafts continue to thrive and find use in daily life. Examples of popular woodcrafts are trays, tables having horse hoof style legs (Tung kou area), and furniture with many legs (Pyongyang area). Other important Korean Handicrafts include leather, stone, paper and woven goods.
