Patchworked bojagi (jogakbo) were made exclusively
by and for the common people using various colors of small
remnants. Jogakbo are comparable to modern abstract paintings.
The talent and aesthetic sense that created a work of art
from discarded scraps of cloths were sufficient to make jogakbo
excellent works of art.
While making jogakbo, women wished for the recipients’ good luck and happiness. This is why bojagi were also called bok meaning both a wrapping cloth and good luck in Korean. Something made with much care was believed to bring good luck and happiness. Thus, it seems that making a great effort to patch together the scraps of cloth was regarded as a medium for asking for good luck. In addition, connecting small pieces of cloths was associated with long life.
Source: Hur, Dong-hwa, Bojagi’s Simple Elegance (Seoul; The museum of Korean Embroidery, 2004)
While making jogakbo, women wished for the recipients’ good luck and happiness. This is why bojagi were also called bok meaning both a wrapping cloth and good luck in Korean. Something made with much care was believed to bring good luck and happiness. Thus, it seems that making a great effort to patch together the scraps of cloth was regarded as a medium for asking for good luck. In addition, connecting small pieces of cloths was associated with long life.
Source: Hur, Dong-hwa, Bojagi’s Simple Elegance (Seoul; The museum of Korean Embroidery, 2004)
