＇Ceremonial Costumes of East Asia＇

To celebrate the 20th inauguration anniversary of the Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum at Sookmyung Women’s University, the museum organized the special exhibition, Ceremonial Costumes of East Asia. The museum has continuously held research and exhibitions to further scholarship of embroidery art, and to deepen the understanding of the social and cultural function of textiles worldwide. This exhibition will feature the ceremonial costumes of Korea, China, and Japan. We would be grateful if you could join us in celebrating this special event. 

The clothing worn for ceremonies symbolizes the lifestyle and culture of that period during a person’s life. There is a visual language represented by formalities and designs even in everyday wear, while ceremonial attire additionally possesses an instrumental expression and functionality that carries a message filled with religious spirit and culture. 

Various styles of clothing exist due to geographical surroundings, ethnical or religious differences, however there are similarities in terms of formalities and cultural values in traditional costumes. 

The exhibition, ＇Ceremonial Costumes of East Asia＇, features ceremonial attire that represent major lifetime events in Korea, China, and Japan. Especially, this exhibition examines the time and space of people during the Joseon period or the Chinese Qing dynasty through the costumes worn for ceremonies, such as coming of age, weddings, funerals, and ancestral rites.  

 There are various systems and formalities according to the region people live in that transcends time, however, the fact that they are important ceremonies in a lifetime makes it possible to compare the clothing in terms of its visual and aesthetic features.