Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 10
July 8, 2008 (Tue) - August 24, 2008 (Sun)
This exhibition, the second of a two-part thematic series, features garments and daily utensils of educated men in the Joseon Dynasty.
The ideal way of living for yangban (members of the nobility class), from which most of high-ranking government officials came, was the humble but elegant life of sonbi - literati/scholars who highly valued Confucian philosophy, including the five virtues; benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and fidelity, as well as harmony with others. Their sophisticated aesthetic sense is reflected in their mostly white garments and the plain furnishings of their living quarters (known as sarangbang).
On the other hand, their official garments, battle attire and ceremonial dresses show combinations of vivid colors. These color schemes are strictly defined according to the ideas of Ying and Yang and the Five Elements, and their color contrasts create a unique tension. The display also features garments for children, worn on the occasion of their first birthday (tol).
The ideal way of living for yangban (members of the nobility class), from which most of high-ranking government officials came, was the humble but elegant life of sonbi - literati/scholars who highly valued Confucian philosophy, including the five virtues; benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and fidelity, as well as harmony with others. Their sophisticated aesthetic sense is reflected in their mostly white garments and the plain furnishings of their living quarters (known as sarangbang).
On the other hand, their official garments, battle attire and ceremonial dresses show combinations of vivid colors. These color schemes are strictly defined according to the ideas of Ying and Yang and the Five Elements, and their color contrasts create a unique tension. The display also features garments for children, worn on the occasion of their first birthday (tol).
Major works in this exhibition
