Event at Gwangyang-eup Jangdo Transmission Education Center themed 'One Heart, Hand to Hand'
The Gwangyang Jangdo Transmission Education Center in South Jeolla Province announced that Park Jong-gun (64), its director and a nationally designated intangible heritage holder in jangdo craftsmanship, will hold a public knife-making demonstration under the theme "One Heart, Hand to Hand" at the center in Gwangyang-eup from Wednesday through Friday.
The event is designed to introduce the craft techniques and aesthetic value of jangdo — a traditional Korean ornamental knife — and to give residents hands-on access to intangible heritage. The Cultural Heritage Administration, the Korea Heritage Service and the city of Gwangyang are sponsoring the event, which Park is organizing as the designated holder of the national intangible heritage.
Jangdo are small knives with sheaths that were widely used during the Joseon Dynasty both as practical tools and as accessories symbolizing social status and personal integrity.
During the public demonstrations, Park will personally walk through the jangdo-making process and explain the distinctive characteristics, structure and production methods specific to Gwangyang jangdo.
The demonstrations are free and open to all — residents, youth and children alike. Sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
Participants can observe the master craftsman's work up close, tour the exhibition hall and explore the history and cultural significance of jangdo.
Throughout the event, the heritage holder and certified practitioners will engage directly with visitors, fielding questions about intangible cultural heritage.
Yang Gyeong-sun, head of the culture and arts division at Gwangyang City Hall, said Gwangyang jangdo is a precious national intangible heritage that represents the region. "We hope this public event gives citizens a chance to experience the beauty of traditional craftsmanship and the skill of the artisan up close, and serves as an opportunity to deepen interest in our local cultural heritage," Yang said.
The Gwangyang Jangdo Transmission Education Center has worked to preserve jangdo-making techniques and promote traditional culture since opening its transmission center and museum in 2006.
Further details about the event are available on the Gwangyang Jangdo Museum website and its official blog at https://blog.naver.com/jangdojang60.
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