The Gangneung region is a treasure trove of gyubang (women’s boudoir) culture. Nestled against the Baekdudaegan mountain range and facing the rolling waves of the East Sea, the women of Gangneung cultivated a distinctive aesthetic sensibility while experiencing various folk games within this beautiful natural environment - games that can now only be seen during festivals such as the Danoje. In particular, saeksil nubi (colored threads quilting) handed down in Gangneung continues to be highly regarded in the field of formative arts.
Saeksil nubi is a traditional Joseon-era quilting technique that can be found in various ssamji (pouches). Pouches made for storing or carrying items, such as tobacco pouches, flint pouches, or eyeglass cases, convey diverse traditional abstract patterns through quilting. The pattern here draws on the geometric hand-stitched techniques of old quilted pouches, evoking the warmth and care of something made entirely by hand. The threads, thick and thin in uneven measure, heighten the visual texture, while the occasional irregular stitch lends a unique identity that is difficult to achieve by digital technology.
* Pouch
