The philosophies and customs that
constitute the foundation of contemporary Korean culture mostly hail back to
the Joseon period (1392-1910) in their origin. Joseon was a time when
Confucianism served as the governing principle and conceptual framework of the
nation, instilling the values of the Three Bonds and Five Relationships
throughout the society. Confucianism stipulated that one must behave fittingly
to one’s own social
standing, and relied on a range of metrics to determine people’s way of life, such as age, social class, and gender. Naturally, women were expected to take
good care of the household and devote themselves to the well being of other
family members. The labor they carried out in this process was, therefore, seen
more as a natural fabric of life rather than actual work. Despite the
irrationality and unfairness of these expectations, the women truly believed
good work to be the enlivened form of virtue, and endeavored to shape their
lives as such. Their housework was paid back in the form of the family’s wellness and happiness, and they
persevered, quietly, for the success of their husbands and children. The women
also contributed to household finances by finding ways to participate in
economically productive activities, inscribing their presence into the
community.
This exhibition is Coreana Cosmetics
Museum’s twenty second special exhibition since its inauguration in 2003. The
exhibition introduces the daily lives, economic activities, belongings, and
records of Joseon women with the aim of exploring their work and life. We hope
that the exhibition would be an opportunity for visitors to view Joseon women’s work and life from different
perspectives in comparison with socially conceptualized ideas of women labor,
and acquire a more in-depth understanding of Joseon women and their thoughts on
work as part of life. Supported by Coreana Cosmetics, Co., Ltd.