Stories, old and now

Have you ever heard of Hanji? It's a special kind of paper from Korea, made from mulberry trees, and it's known for being super strong and lasting a really long time—like, over a thousand years! How is Hanji Made? Hanji is crafted using fibers from the bark of mulberry trees. These fibers are really long and tough, which helps make the paper strong. Artisans clean these fibers carefully, then beat them to make a pulp. This pulp is spread out on bamboo frames and shaken by hand to weave the fibers together in a crisscross pattern. This special technique is what gives Hanji its incredible durability. Why Does Hanji Last So Long? A few cool reasons make Hanji super durable: - It's almost pH neutral: This means Hanji doesn't break down as easily as other papers that might be acidic. - Resists bugs and water: Special treatments help make Hanji resistant to bugs and water, helping it to last through the ages. - Careful storage: Historically, people used Hanji for important th...

  Painting of Birds and Flowers, 19th Century Set of 8, Color on Paper, 90.4 x 37.2 cm. Gallery Hyundai Imagine stepping into a world where tigers grin mischievously, peonies bloom with unbridled joy, and ancient myths come to life on a canvas rich with color and meaning. This is the world of Minhwa—Korean folk art—a vibrant, whimsical, and deeply symbolic form of artistic expression that blossomed from the hearts and hands of the common people during the Joseon Dynasty. The Art of the People In the grand palaces of Korea, the elite were surrounded by meticulously crafted art, each brushstroke a testament to skill and sophistication. But outside these walls, in the villages and humble homes of everyday Koreans, a different kind of art was taking shape. This was Minhwa—literally "people's paintings"—created by anonymous artists who weren’t concerned with courtly approval or perfect technique. Instead, they painted from the soul, capturing the hopes, dreams, and beliefs of ...