Often found in travel
essays by foreigners who visited Korea during the end of the Korean Empire is
high praise for Joseon’s distinctive, diverse headgear culture. To their blue
eyes, Joseon headgear appeared interesting and fresh. So, they called Joseon
the ‘kingdom of headwear’ or ‘heaven of headdress’. Admiring Korea’s headwear
culture, its originality and practicality, they left meticulous records of what
they saw and experienced. Moja in Korean is the name for many types of headgear
worn on one’s head. Headgear serves a variety of purposes: protection from cold
and heat; decoration and fashion; a means to represent social status and
formalities.
As headgear of various
forms was used and developed in Joseon, it was called a country of headwear,
but most of the headwear died out after modernization. We Koreans haven’t really
asked why they almost disappeared. It is hoped the true value of Korea’s
beautiful headwear, which disappeared in the process of modernization, can be
rightly evaluated through this exhibition. Supported by Coreana Cosmetics, Co., Ltd.