With An Iron Fist and A Gold Hairpin - HS 029

HS 029

Korean Bookmark

Era: 2000's

Details: replica royal hairpin

Today's collection piece was donated by my friend Ga Young who's from South Korea, hence the Korean text you find on the information card. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a hold of her lately so I can't directly translate the words myself, so if you know Korean it would be appreciated if you could email the museum at Sholesonian@gmail.com and we will add it as a correction later on. If you haven't noticed by now, this particular piece is a regular present-day bookmark but it's made in such a design to resemble a traditional Korean hairpin - known as a Dwikkoji.

The informational text on the card reads: "Gold Hairpin: It looks like a bird flying with its full-spread wings. Look closely at the top of the pin and you'll see what looks like a flying bird, engraved with simple images of honeysuckle flowers. There is evidence that it might have been more specifically made for people of royalty, especially because of its gold composition and its inlaid arabesque designs."

My good college friend Dan has taken it upon himself to do a little research on the history associated with this collection piece. The real life historical artifact that this bookmark is based off of is Korean National Treasure No. 159. This hairpin was found in the tomb of the Korean King Muryeong of Baekje who ruled from 462-523 A.D. He wore this 18.4 cm hairpin, which was made of gold. And just because it's so interesting it turns out that King Muryeong not only increased trade and contact with China but he crushed an rising rebellion in his second year rule. It also turns out that in 2001, Japanese Emperor Akihito acknowledged that he was of this Korean King's bloodline - a first for any Japanese emperor. Check it out and more at the Korean National Heritage Site.