Q. Could you tell us about the history of POJAGI in South Korea?

Yes! POJAGI is a Korean household item that flourished in the late 18th and 19th centuries. It is similar to a Furoshiki or Fukusa in Japan.
However, the late 18th to 19th century is only a literary record, and I believe that the items currently on display at the museum date back to the early days of cloth weaving in the Korean Peninsula. (* Furoshiki/Fukusa – a wrapping cloth*)
I’m talking about POJAGI as a tool for daily life, but it was widely used in daily life, not just for two functions like Furoshiki and Fukusa. It was used to hang things like partitions, to cover things like Fukusas, to make table centers or mats, to wrap things like Furoshiki, for decoration, for rituals like weddings, and finally for religious purposes. The background to their widespread use as living tools began with agriculture during the Joseon Dynasty, when textiles were sold for self-sufficiency, and because houses were small, they could be folded and made smaller, thus making use of space. It also spread because it was flexible enough to be used small when you wanted to use it small, and to be expanded when you wanted to use it large…and because it was very convenient for storing and transporting things. In addition, the philosophy of life at that time was Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of politeness, and wrapping things with POJAGI was thought of as a way to convey one’s heart along with the items! POJAGI is written in Chinese characters as “fukus” in Fukusas, which is pronounced the same as the Korean word for happiness, “fuku”.

-I see! When I think of POJAGI, I tend to think of it as a thin cloth, but is there a thicker type of POJAGI that is suitable for wrapping things?

Yes, there are. Since Korea, like Japan, has four seasons, POJAGI made of thin summer cloth is used to wrap light items. In period dramas, people wear hats, and since people view their hats very seriously, they also wrap such hats. For fragile items, we use thick POJAGI filled with cotton, and for winter items we also wrap jewelry.

-Then, is the cloth silk?

Well, yes, we use silk, and in summer we have hemp. Hemp is very durable, so it is used as a cover screen to hide things, and of course to wrap things. Hemp is also used to carry things.

Q. What do you think is the appealing and attractive charm of POJAGI?

I think it is the beauty of the layers of cloth and the beauty of the needlework used with different color fabrics.
You may know “chima jeogori” which is a Korean term for a women’s outfit (costume) consisting of a chima skirt and a jeogori top. The cloths used for this are mainly silk and hemp linen. Layers of thin silk are very beautiful and can be used to create a variety of expressions. In the case of hemp, the seam allowance is wrapped around the fabric, which creates a silhouette and makes the layering more enjoyable. Also, I think that “splicing or putting together” means that your thoughts and time intersect like a textile, and this is the charm of POJAGI, “expressions of yourself living in the present”. I think this is the charm of POJAGI!

Q. Since these objects have a long tradition in history, I’m sure you sometimes arrange them in a modern way. So…Could you tell us what kind of contemporary work you have made or are making?

I think there are many things to be gained from looking at old things. It is often said that Korean POJAGI is similar to Mondrian’s paintings and Paul Klee’s modern art! The silhouettes and other elements are abstract. Therefore, you can use it in your room, for example by framing it! In daily life, you can use it as a scarf. It would also be nice to use as a curtain for decorating. I also incorporate POJAGI into my clothes! In 2002, fashion icon CHANEL held an exhibition in Seoul, Korea, where they designed their textiles inspired by POJAGI.（https://www.chanel.com/jp/fashion/news/2015/11/pojagi-print.html ）（https://fashionpost.jp/news/47822 ）And then, fashion great HERMES started to incorporate POJAGI designs into their scarves. From there, POJAGI spread to France and Europe, and so, I published a book about it!

-I see! So it has already been incorporated into modern fashion?

Yes! It has! I believe it’s recognized in Japan, but over the last few years, it has been appreciated and incorporated in Europe and America as well!

Q. How do you get your inspiration for your work?

In my designs, I express what I am moved by – – Like things that I feel in my daily life. It could be the sky, a beautiful piece of music, a work of art I came across at an exhibition, the scent of a flower, or even something invisible, like the color of the wind. It’s always my passion that inspires me to design.

-Really! That’s why you never get old! (smile).

NO…no, that’s not true. (big smile)

-But without such things, people will grow old, and passions are so necessary!

Yes, we need them – it is required!
People ask me, “When do you really feel such things?” The more you “polish” your senses, the easier it becomes to feel. If your “sensitivity” in your mind becomes rusty, you won’t feel anything, so you have to constantly polish and sharpen it. (laughing) That’s why I have so many art pieces I want to express, and I’m in trouble! Some people say it is like an antenna.

Q. I believe that each work has its own meaning, but can you tell us about your most special work and the meaning or message behind it?

There are many, but…I used to make clothes from indigo-dyed cloth, and I had some left over. I couldn’t throw them away, so I started patching them together, and they became one piece! My theme is “Blue World”. This is the third piece I’ve made in that order…The blue of indigo dye is the blue of the sky, the blue of the ocean, and the blue of heaven. The blue of indigo dye is also the color of the sea, and there is no border between heaven and earth…For example, when you get on an airplane and look down, it just spreads out and has no borders, doesn’t it? I don’t know if I should talk about it too much, but when I look at the ocean – when I think about the problems between Japan and Korea, the sight of no borders makes me feel peaceful. So blue is my wish and prayer for peace. “Blue World” is my expression of peace, not only between Japan and Korea, but also beyond religion and anything else.
This piece won an award called the World Art Award at a festival held in Korea in 2016. This is what I have in mind for myself now. I still have number 5 and 6 to go… (laughing).

-It’s a wonderful theme.

I also think that indigo = love. And… I also think that indigo (AI pronounced in Japanese) is love.

Q. What was the most difficult part of creating your work?

The difficulties…I’ve forgotten them! The moment the work is done. I think that there were probably various difficulties, such as dyeing the cloth, but in the end, the hardships disappear. I forget everything! I think that’s why I can start the next project.

-Is there anything that took you a long time to do?

No – no! It doesn’t matter if it took me three years or if it was done quickly, I can’t answer that question because I don’t have that feeling anymore (laughs). I guess that’s why I’ll keep working on it until I die! (laughs).

-You should say that you will do it until you die!

I agree. I want to make a lot, so I have to live hard!

Q. Do you have any big dreams or challenges you want to take on in your work?

In the future, I would like to publish a book on the theme of POJAGI that can be enjoyed in daily life, not only large works, but also small items that can add color to our lives!

-That sounds great! Is it something familiar to you?

Yes, it is. I’d like to tell young people about the charm and fun of POJAGI that they can feel close at hand. I would like to show young people that POJAGI is a good thing, like a book cover or something they can put in their bag. When I started POJAGI 20 years ago, I would say I made big curtains! But nowadays, young people want to learn more and more things. I think they want to find something they would like to use in their daily life. So, I would like to do small articles and accessories that they can incorporate into their daily lives.

-It would be great if we could incorporate POJAGI into accessories and small items to create something a little different from others by expressing our individuality!

Yes, something unique just for you! Even if you’re not good at it, it’s important to put your heart and soul into your work!（https://www.edisaxe.com/le-pojagi　）
I’ve been preparing a book for about two years now, hoping to convey the joy of handicrafts and needlework (laughs). Now that people are spending more time at home due to the influence of Corona, they want something a little more spicy and exciting – don’t they? Korean food is spicy, but the colors are spicy too! So I think we need something like that, especially at this time.

Q. Please tell us if there is anything you would like to promote regarding your future endeavors.

Yes. From October 18th to the 24th this year, I will be holding an exhibition of POJAGI at the Korean Cultural Institute in Tokyo! We are going to exhibit about 200 pieces of artwork by artists who are active in Japan and Korea. The ceiling is quite high, so I’d like to hang my long piece!

-I’d also like to know if you have a book that was published in France and where can we buy it?

This can be purchased on Amazon, etc. （https://www.edisaxe.com/le-pojagi）
It’s a French version of a book about POJAGI that was published by Vogue Japan! After that, an English version was supposed to be released in Taiwan, but it was postponed due to Corona. It was supposed to go out with a bang! But that’s just how popular POJAGI is!

-I’m so looking forward to it!