Yun Seon-ok, Who Has Trimmed Kingkol for 57 Years, Becomes Wanchogjang Holder

National Heritage Administration Announces Designation of National Intangible Cultural Heritage

A craftsman who has been trimming and weaving wanggol for over half a century becomes a holder of the National Intangible Heritage. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 11th that it plans to recognize Yuseonok as a holder of the Wanchojang craft. After reviewing opinions from various sectors for a month and undergoing a review by the Intangible Heritage Committee, the recognition will be finalized.

Wanchojang refers to the skill or a craftsman possessing the skill of making crafts such as mats, cushions, and small baskets using wanggol, a 1-2 year-old grass that grows in rice paddies or wetlands. According to the historical record "Samguk Sagi (三國史記)," wanggol is presumed to have been used since the Silla period. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was used to make valuable products for the royal court and the upper class.

Yuseonok, who has been announced as a prospective holder, began her apprenticeship in 1967. She learned the craft from her late husband and master, Lee Sangjae, and has honed her wanchog craft skills for 57 years. Since becoming a transmission educator in 2004, she has steadily worked to preserve and pass on the wanchog craft.

The Cultural Heritage Administration confirmed Yuseonok’s skills through competitions and evaluations. They judged her craftsmanship in core wanchog techniques?such as making warp threads (vertical threads), weaving the base, and raising the edges by weaving wanggol around to create height?to be flawless.

Currently, there is no holder of the National Intangible Heritage Wanchojang, only one transmission educator.