- The Cultural Life Study of the Housekeeping Space of Chosun Dynasty Upperclass Housing -

조선조 상류주택의 가사공간에 관한 생활문화적 고찰

  • 이길표 (성신여자대학교 가정관리학과)
  • Published : 1993.03.01

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to look for the basic formative elements of housekeeping space of our cultural life which are worthy to succeed and develop by revaluating in modern view and to reveal what we should maintain form the women's view of the housework in those days. In this study, out look on Chosun Dynasty housekeeping is based on the norm of the women in those days. The research on the housekeeping space for norm of the women in those days. the research on the housekeeping space for Chosun Dynasty upperclass is focused on the house built from early till late Chosun Dynasty, which is now a cultural asset. As a result, norm of Chosun Dynasty have created a social wide atmosphere for women to devote herselves to the housekeeping. Moreover the constructions of Chosun Dynasty's upperclass are affected by Korea's natural environment and socio-cultural environment. Primary factors for natural environment are building materials and the change of seasons. Because of changeable seasons, there were places for storing massive commodities. The other primary factors for socio-cultural environment affecting housekeeping space were social positions, and extended family system, worshipping the ancestors standard of living, the theory of“Poong Soo”(風水, a kind of geomancy) and thought of“Yin and Yang, Five Elements”(陰陽五行) and popular belief of that time. Affected by these two environments, the characteristics of housekeeping space for Chosun Dynasty are ; the main building of the house was used as a diverted area for women to work, and was reconstructed for household affairs. There were inefficient points in the housekeeping space of that time and the space remained stagnant because of the restricted sex and the social position of housekeeping doer. But you could find some points that are efficient and functional to adjust in those living conditions. The storehouse, storage barn, shed and soyjar terrace are the specialized storing place, according to the kinds and characteristics of the commodities. the kitchen, for example, is the combinations of many abilities. It is not only for cooking or heating the room, but also for storing drinking water. The hall which was the storing place, housekeeping place and also the place for family events are used as a diverted place. The linked arrangement of kitchen, store house, boudoir and the other rooms. In addition, we can see that the construction of the kitchen for more than tow people could work in.

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