A collection of traditional Korean wrapping cloths, called bojagi in Korean, is being showcased in Japan, where the garments are often used in everyday life.

About 40 Korean bojagi on loan from the Museum of Korean Embroidery, along with 25 traditional pocket bags, are on view in a special exhibition at Koryo Museum of Art in Kyoto until March 30.

It is the third time for the Korean museum to be invited to present its collection in Japan, reflecting a growing interest in Korean bojagi. 

“In Japan, an estimated 200,000 people use wrapping cloths in daily life and enjoy making their own,” said Huh Dong-hwa, director of the Korean museum. In Japan, wrapping cloths are used to carry items, wrap gifts, store household goods or decorate the home.

“The exhibition is a good opportunity to compare the different bojagi cultures of Korea and Japan, and I hope it will help the two neighboring countries build up their friendship as well,” he added. 

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to appreciate various square bojagi either patched with cloth pieces of different colors or decorated with embroidery. Traditional pocket bags also on display were originally personal goods used to carry a variety of items such as brushes and spoons.

On March 2, Huh plans to give a lecture about the Korean bojagi culture and how it flourished in ancient Korea.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)