The Korean people have long made and used different kinds of necessities and ornaments with various grasses and stems, leaves and bark of trees.
They called those handicrafts grasswork.
In Korea grasswork has the longest history among other folk crafts, and it has been developed and enriched in close relation to the people’s economic and cultural life.
It spread among broad sections of people because there were abundant raw material resources for it and it could be easily made without special equipment or tools and with comparatively less labour.
Unlike ceramics and metalwork, materials for grasswork are so prone to rot away that it is difficult to preserve it for a long time. However, a piece from a reed mat unearthed in the Namgyong Site in Honam-ri, Samsok District, Pyongyang, is preserved as a very old historical relic.
Originated in the ancient times (30th century BC-3rd century BC), the earliest period of human society, grasswork developed in the period of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392) thanks to the creative labour of the people.
During this period, such materials as sedge, bush clover, reed, osier, rice straw, hemp and arrowroot were used to make basket, mesh bag, winnow, straw sandal, rope, string, kat (a kind of hat), net and other products.
In the period of the feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910), grasswork made further progress due to the creative labour of the resourceful and talented working masses, with the main emphasis put on sedge crafts.
The Korean people strive to develop the handicraft.
Pak Chol
More From Naenara (En)
The 16th Commodity Exhibition at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 has closed. The exhibition, which instilled pride and
May 08, 2025
The 16th Commodity Exhibition at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 has closed. The exhibition, which instilled pride and
On February 14, the groundbreaking ceremony of a modern offshore farm was held in Ragwon County, South Hamgyong Province, in the
May 08, 2025
On February 14, the groundbreaking ceremony of a modern offshore farm was held in Ragwon County, South Hamgyong Province, in the
A great many people around the world are forced out of their homes and subjected to hunger and suffering due to frequent sectarian
May 08, 2025
A great many people around the world are forced out of their homes and subjected to hunger and suffering due to frequent sectarian
Our family moved to a new street built at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang. The state gave me a new house before a
May 08, 2025
Our family moved to a new street built at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang. The state gave me a new house before a
Shortly ago, a large number of working people moved to the newly-built 10 000 flats at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyon
May 08, 2025
Shortly ago, a large number of working people moved to the newly-built 10 000 flats at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyon
A dynamic campaign is going on across the country to readjust, reinforce and perfect the nation’s irrigation system in
May 08, 2025
A dynamic campaign is going on across the country to readjust, reinforce and perfect the nation’s irrigation system in
At the invitation of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a government delegation of the Republic of
May 08, 2025
At the invitation of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a government delegation of the Republic of
Today monumental edifices are springing up one after another in the capital city and other parts of the DPRK to the admiration of
May 07, 2025
Today monumental edifices are springing up one after another in the capital city and other parts of the DPRK to the admiration of
Shortly ago, a special natural cave was discovered in Iryong-ri, Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The cave,
May 07, 2025
Shortly ago, a special natural cave was discovered in Iryong-ri, Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The cave,
DPRK weightlifter Kim Yong Ju came first at the 2025 IWF World Youth and Junior Championships held in Peru. Kim Yong Ju won three
May 07, 2025
DPRK weightlifter Kim Yong Ju came first at the 2025 IWF World Youth and Junior Championships held in Peru. Kim Yong Ju won three
Among the first winners of the Natural Science Prize newly instituted this year is Prof. Im Song Jin, PhD and chief of a lab in
May 07, 2025
Among the first winners of the Natural Science Prize newly instituted this year is Prof. Im Song Jin, PhD and chief of a lab in
An event took place at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on May 5 to mark International Day of the Midwife 2025. Present there were
May 07, 2025
An event took place at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on May 5 to mark International Day of the Midwife 2025. Present there were
A new system has been launched in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to support the education of children with
May 07, 2025
A new system has been launched in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to support the education of children with
True to the Workers’ Party of Korea’s childcare policy, different parts of the country are making further efforts to expand
May 06, 2025
True to the Workers’ Party of Korea’s childcare policy, different parts of the country are making further efforts to expand
Medical education institutes across the country are making efforts to train practical talents. Pyongyang University of Medical
May 06, 2025
Medical education institutes across the country are making efforts to train practical talents. Pyongyang University of Medical
One day in early May in 1998 Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Sogwang Temple at the foot of Mt Solbong in Kangwon Province’s Kosan
May 06, 2025
One day in early May in 1998 Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Sogwang Temple at the foot of Mt Solbong in Kangwon Province’s Kosan
One day in December 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un called an official. He asked the official about the plan for funding
May 05, 2025
One day in December 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un called an official. He asked the official about the plan for funding
May 5 is International Day of the Midwife. Marking the day every year, the International Confederation of Midwives presents a
May 05, 2025
May 5 is International Day of the Midwife. Marking the day every year, the International Confederation of Midwives presents a
“Song of the Ten-point Programme of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland” is one of the immortal works
May 05, 2025
“Song of the Ten-point Programme of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland” is one of the immortal works
A schoolchildren’s art group of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace led by Kim Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central Committee
May 04, 2025
A schoolchildren’s art group of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace led by Kim Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central Committee
More Articles
