Eunjangdo

Eunjangdo is a type of silver knife or norigae historically worn in Korea.

History

In the Joseon Dynasty period, both Korean men and women generally wore jangdo. During this period, jangdo developed in many aspects. The design, material, and techniques developed to produce eunjangdos in various way. The court also used geumjangdos and eunjangdos.[1]

The eunjangdo was prohibited to be worn by the common people in the period of Yeonsangun reign (1498), but the prohibition had a limited effect. In the period of Hyunjong (1670), there was a law that would penalize common people for use of eunjangdos. The reason for this restriction was the importance of gold and silver. In a feudal society, gold and silver were indicators of social hierarchy.

Use

Women used eunjungdos for self-defense. When women wore jang they had a breast-tie, called paedo and pocket called nangdo.

The material used to make eunjangdos is silver and the blade is steel. Some eunjangdos' sword blades were engraved with single-minded devotion, because eunjangdos were a symbol of fidelity for women.

Some eunjangdos contain chopsticks, so that when people eat out, they can use chopsticks that they know are safe from poisoning.[2]

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References
  1. 광양장도박물관 (Gwangyang Knife Museum)
  2. 한국민족문화대백과
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