Gosu-hwan, Jo Jun-seok, and Pyo Tae-seon to Become Holders of 'Ak-gijang'

Cultural Heritage Administration Announces Recognition of String Instrument Makers as Holders

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 5th that it plans to recognize Kosuhwan, Jojunseok, and Pyotaeseon as holders of the national intangible cultural heritage title "Akgijang (樂器匠)" for string instrument making. Opinions from various sectors will be collected for one month, and the decision on recognition will be made after review by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee.

Gosuhwan's father-in-law

Akgijang are artisans who make traditional musical instruments such as drums, string instruments, and pyeonjong (bronze bells) and pyeongyeong (stone chimes). They are believed to have existed since the Three Kingdoms period, as depicted in Goguryeo murals. During the Joseon Dynasty, an independent institution called the Akgijoseongcheong (樂器造成廳) was even established in the royal court. The types of Korean traditional musical instruments, including the gayageum and geomungo, number between 60 and 70.

The individuals proposed for recognition this time are all holders of provincial intangible cultural heritage titles for Akgijang. Mr. Ko was trained in techniques by the late Lee Young-su, a former national intangible cultural heritage holder for string instrument making, and has honed his skills for 48 years. Mr. Jo and Mr. Pyo have also devoted over 45 years to string instrument making.

The Cultural Heritage Administration confirmed core skills such as resonator making, string twisting, and string hanging through field investigations conducted last April. Completed instruments were played directly by traditional musicians at the National Gugak Center to evaluate the excellence of their sound. Currently, there are five Akgijang holders: three for drum making, one for string instrument making, and one for pyeonjong and pyeongyeong making.