A Study on the Court uniform Worn by Government Officials in Late Joseon Dynasty

Abstract

This study aims to examine the court uniform worn by government officials during the Joseon Dynasty on national celebration days. It is particularly focused on changes to the uniform that occurred during the late Joseon Dynasty, centering on the 17th century. The research comprehensively examines literature that has just been discovered in addition to diagrams and archaeological remains while referring to Chinese artifacts if necessary. Throughout the study, some significant facts were discovered by examining in factors constituting the court uniform suit and the shapes of each costume item. In terms of the components of the court uniform, there were no significant differences between the early days of the Joseon Dynasty and the later days of the Joseon Dynasty. The court uniform was replaced with another costume after the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 and the Manchu war of 1636, however, gentlemen’s gowns were used instead of the old court uniform. The study clearly sorted out formative changes by items such as top, bottom, a wide band, Front Cloth Panel, and a ceremonial band by classifying them into four steps. This will pave the way for creating a standard for judgment that can be applied to newly discovered court uniform relics that the date of production still remains as unknown.