The Beautiful Art of Korea’s North

On the fourth anniversary of Korea Peace Day, please join us to discover the beautiful arts and culture in the northern part of Korea. The first Korea Peace Day was proclaimed in 2018 by Supreme Master Ching Hai, to commemorate the Panmunjom Declaration of Peace on the Korean Peninsula by the heroic Korean leaders Dear Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and His Excellency Moon Jae-in.

The notable folk art of Korea’s north includes traditional embroideries, potteries, paintings, and calligraphy. Many Korean embroidery creations feature human figures, landscapes, flowers, and animal-people. Today, the Pyongyang Embroidery Institute preserves this precious art form. The Joseon period ceramics, known as “Joseon Buncheong,” are famous for their excellent quality, each piece radiating with unique personalities. Joseon white porcelain have contributed significantly to ceramic art in Japan since the 16th century.

Since ancient times, the Korean people have produced outstanding musical talent, along with many unique instruments. The 12-stringed zither known as the gayageum is one of Korea’s most represented national instruments. The tanso is a traditional wind instrument first played in Korea in the mid-15th century. Jangsaenab is a woodwind instrument in northern part of Korea. Modified based on the traditional taepyeongso, jangsaenab is longer and has a narrower metal trumpet that produces rich volumes and powerful expressions.

Let’s take a look at some of their popular folk dances. The Tondollari is a circle dance that originated in Pukchong County, South Hamgyong Province, where it remains popular. Another form of folk dance is the Pongsan mask dance of North Hwanghae Province. Korean folk songs originated from simple rhythmic music of ordinary people. The most represented piece is the famous “Arirang” that has existed for over 600 years. In April 2019, the Pyongyang Folk Arts Group traveled to Taiwan, also known as Formosa, to celebrate Korea Peace Day with our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai. The group’s highly skilled professional performances and dazzling costumes were an excellent representation of the beauty of the Korean art of the north. Let’s hear their lively rendition of “Arirang.”