A Hanji Community in Jinwol-dong
“The moment I felt the texture of hanji, I decided my future.” Lee Misun, owner of the Habaek hanji craft shop in Jinwol-dong, described how an unplanned visit to a hanji craft shop five years ago helped shape her future course.
Before participating in an introduction program during that visit, Lee knew nothing about hanji, traditional Korean craft with mulberry paper. At the time she was working as a nurse at the Gwangju Christian Hospital. “I was under a lot of stress, but just the touch of hanji relieved my stress, and while making hanji crafts, I felt a warm and soft feeling embrace me. I had previously had the idea to try a new challenge before I turned 40, so I could have a new career path in my 40s, and it was then that I decided to pursue hanji craft-making as a job.”
However, before she opened a shop to later teach her own students, Lee needed to become more skilled. “I continued working as a nurse, but on my days off, I took a professional hanji course,” she explained.
After completing the course, Lee opened her shop in Jinwol-dong in November 2012. There her own work is on display, both for sale and to provide examples for the students she instructs to choose what project they want to attempt.
Lee said the sense of achievement between her past and present professions is similar, but also different: “Being a nurse, you heal people to bring them back to a normal state; but in hanji craft-making, you are creating something new, like giving birth.”
As far as comparing the two aspects of operating her shop, Lee says she enjoys both creating her own work and teaching, but she prefers teaching because she wants “to spread the feeling of hanji.” She further stated, “When a person who previously knew nothing about hanji craft-making finishes her/his first project, the expression of achievement on her/his face gives me a warm feeling.”
Lee begins the students’ instruction by simply making them familiar with hanji. Most students start by making a hanji lamp as their first project. “The lamp-making allows the students to experience the soft and warm feel of hanji,” she said. When finished, Lee turns down the lights and lets the students turn on the lamp for the first time, and both the sense of accomplishment evident on the students’ faces and the newly-made lamps light up the little shop. Hanji lamp-making is actually one of Lee’s specializations and provides her with a connection to her faith, as the lamps remind her of candles used in Christian worship. “When the lamp is on, I can feel God’s presence in its glow,” she explained.
While a hanji lamp marks the first step for most students, Lee’s instruction progresses through three levels: beginner, intermediate and high. “There’s no regular pace for advancing through the levels,” Lee explained. “Generally, when students complete one or two projects, they can pass to the next level.”
Students pay for the cost of materials, with prices for various projects ranging from as low as 6,000 won, all the way up to 500,000. The hanji itself comes from Jeonju, well-known for its high-quality production, while the project frames and other miscellaneous materials are purchased locally or online. Students can choose to attempt projects as diverse as the aforementioned lamps, to boxes, drawers, decorative clocks, to even medium-sized tables.
Lee stated that most of her customers are women, usually in their 30s or 40s, ranging from housewives, to teachers, doctors or nurses. The atmosphere of the little shop could be described by the Korean idea of sarangbang, or what might be called a “sewing circle” in English. There is a small set of regular customers, to which less frequent visitors and newcomers alike are warmly welcomed, who gather to learn and work on a craft that will adorn their home or perhaps serve as a gift with a personal touch. Knowledge of hanji, however, is not all that is shared, but also friendly talk, a sense of community and not infrequently fruits or baked goods brought in by students, with even a break to enjoy kimchi and rice.
Lee asserted that hanji craft-making is not difficult. However, she regrets that it is generally not well-known and speculates that the relatively high cost of materials keeps many people away. She added, “My shop is in a small neighborhood, so it is difficult to spread awareness about it.” However, she participates in a program at the Gwangju Cultural Center to promote both her shop and hanji awareness in general.
Despite these challenges, the number of students at Lee’s shop is steadily growing. She, as of yet, does not have any plans to expand. She explained, “As a business owner, I’m more focused on learning new skills than just making money. I would like to gain fame as a craftsperson, but my teaching level is still beginner.”
As for the larger future for hanji craft-making, Lee points to its inclusion in psychological therapy programs, which “provides emotional stability, a sense of achievement and motivation.” She added, “I would like all people to gain these benefits.” Lee is certainly doing her part in spreading the benefits of hanji craft-making and community in her little shop in Jinwol-dong.