From ancient times, our people have made and used various daily necessities and decorative items using grasses, tree stems, leaves, bark, and other plant materials.
People commonly referred to this as straw craft (chomul gongye).
Straw craft is not only the oldest among traditional crafts, but it has also developed and flourished closely linked with the economic and cultural life of the people.
Because the raw materials are abundant, and it doesn’t require any special equipment or tools, and can be made relatively easily with little effort, straw craft became widely popular among the general public.
Unlike ceramics or metal crafts, straw crafts are difficult to preserve for a long time because the materials decay easily. However, fragments of woven mats unearthed at the Namgyong site in Honam-ri, Samsok District, Pyongyang, have remained as relics from a very early period.
Straw craft originated in ancient times (from around 3000 B.C. to the 3rd century B.C.), the earliest period of human society, and developed further during the Koryo Dynasty (918–1392) through the creative labor of the people.
During the Koryo period, many straw crafts were made using various materials such as rush, twigs, reeds, willow branches, rice straw, hemp, and kudzu. These included baskets, grain sifters, winnowing trays, straw sandals, ropes, cords, traditional hats, and nets.
In the Joson Feudal Dynasty (1392–1910), straw craft further developed thanks to the wisdom, talent, and creative labor of the working people, with rush products being the primary items.
Today, straw craft continues to develop day by day with the love and interest of our people.
