information on Korean stamp
Date of Issue |
: 2024.09.27 |
Types |
: 2 |
Denomination |
: 430 won |
Design |
: |
Stamp No. |
: 3778 |
Printing Process
& Colors |
: null |
Size of Stamp |
: 52 x 24.74 |
WholeSheet
Composition |
: 2+(2 x 4) |
Image Area |
: 49 x 21.74 |
Paper |
: null |
Perforation |
: 14½ × 14½ |
Printer |
: null |
Designer |
: Shin, Jae-yong |
Quantity |
: null |
Detail
The Weaving of Mosi in Hansan is a traditional ramie weaving technique from Hansan-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, and was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in November 2011. Mosi (ramie), a representative summer fabric, is made from the ramie plant, which thrives in areas with high summer temperatures and significant humidity. The tradition of making ramie cloth dates back to the Three Kingdoms period, continuing for approximately 1,500 years. Due to the plant`s demanding growing conditions, ramie was predominantly produced in certain regions of Chungcheong-do and Jeolla-do, with Hansan-myeon being particularly renowned for the superior quality and weaving techniques of its fine ramie cloth. Hansan is well-suited for ramie cultivation due to its high humidity and mild climate, which are influenced by its proximity to the West Sea and the Geumgang River.
The process of creating Hansan Mosi involves a number of processes, including making Tae Mosi (inner bark of ramie), splitting the ramie, twisting the fibers, preparing the warp, dressing the warp, winding the weft, and weaving. To create Tae Mosi, the harvested ramie stems are broken to separate the inner fibers and the bark, with the inner bark (Tae Mosi) being peeled off for use as fibers. The peeled Tae Mosi is bundled and dried under soft sunlight, where even drying is essential for achieving the desired whiteness, clarity, and luster.
Splitting the ramie involves soaking the dried Tae Mosi in water for about a day and then rewetting it to separate the fibers one by one. The quality of the ramie cloth is determined by how finely and evenly the Tae Mosi is split and the absence of fuzz, making this step crucial in the Hansan Mosi weaving process. Twisting the ramie involves rubbing the split fibers together on the knee to join them, determining the evenness of the thread. The consistent quality of Hansan Mosi is attributed to the superior twisting technique. The twisted ramie is then wound into a circular bundle called Mosi Gut, with 20 Mosi Gut making up one full skein of yarn. Preparing the warp involves unraveling the Mosi Gut into warp bundles, while dressing the warp involves applying soybean glue to the warp threads before winding them onto the beam. Winding the weft involves using bamboo sticks to wind the thread onto spools, which are then loaded into the shuttle. Once both the warp and weft are prepared, the weaving begins on the loom.
The Weaving of Mosi in Hansan tradition, which requires considerable time and effort, has been passed down primarily through women over many generations. However, with the decline in demand for ramie fabric since the 1970s, the number of weavers has gradually decreased, leading to its designation as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 1967 to protect and preserve the weaving skills. Mosi Weaving in Hansan has since been recognized as a valuable cultural heritage of the world, earning its place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.