• Proposal

While I researching Korean traditional clothing (hanbok), I found there was very interesting point.  The basic form of hanbok is the top and bottom. The ancient women's hanbok consisted of a ‘jeogori’ (저고리-top) and ‘chima’ (치마-skirt). The ‘jeogori’ is the basic upper garment of the hanbok, worn by both men and women. It covers the arms and upper part of the wearer's body. ‘Chima’ were typically made from rectangular panels that were pleated or gathered into the waistband. The man wore the same jeogori as their top. And ‘Baji’ (바지-pants) refers to the bottom part of the men's hanbok. Compared to western style pants, ‘baji’ does not fit tightly. The roomy design is aimed at making the clothing ideal for sitting on the floor. This are the most basic hanbok. 

What was interesting in hanbok  was ‘jangot’, is a generic term referring to an outer robe or overcoat. It was a representative outdoor clothing during the Joseon Dynasty, regardless of gender or age, and it was made long and generous. However, as Confucian ideals became stronger, women were required to hide their faces from men when leaving the house. At that time, Women put the ‘jangot’ on their heads so that the waistline aligned with their faces and the skirt part covered their hair. The waistline outlined and covered the face up to the forehead. Although they were wearing the same clothes, they were slightly different according to gender at the time. It wasn't necessary for all women, but I think it's very interesting to see the impact of this social influence to the cloth at that time.

• Waht about other country?

In East Asian countries, laws and systems were mainly based on Confucian principles. To promote Confucian social ethics, efforts were made through awards for filial piety, chastity, loyalty to one's husband, and devotion to family. Women were recognized for their devotion to their parents or in-laws and their loyalty to their husbands. Additionally, the state awarded titles or gave grain as rewards to women who were good at managing their households or raising children. Through these rewards, the state encouraged women to be good wives and mothers.

 At the same time, the state enforced Confucian ethics through punishments. Women were punished when they acted against the values rewarded by society. For instance, disrespect toward one’s parents could lead to punishment. By law, if someone attempted to harm a close relative, like their grandparents or in-laws, they could be sentenced to death, even if no physical injury occurred. This law applied to both men and women, but there were stricter consequences for wives’ disrespect toward their in-laws compared to husbands’ disrespect toward their own parents.

• How did Confucianism influence things in more detail?

In Korea, as Confucianism became stronger, women began wearing the jangot mainly because Confucian values emphasized strict rules about women’s roles and behavior. Confucianism values family and social order, placing importance on separating men and women and emphasizing women’s modesty and chastity. As Confucianism became the main ideology during the Joseon Dynasty, women’s roles became more restricted, focusing on taking care of the household and raising children.

Face coverings like the jangot were a reflection of these Confucian ideals. According to Confucian norms, even if women went outside, they were expected to avoid eye contact with men, and covering themselves with a veil was thought to help protect their modesty and dignity. The jangot helped women avoid unnecessary contact with men, allowing them to follow social norms while in public.

These face coverings also represented women’s social status. Different types of veils were used depending on a woman’s social position, showing the importance of social order in Confucian society. This wasn’t just about covering faces—it was also a way to visually express a woman’s social position and the rules she was expected to follow.

• Is this inequality?

At that time, most women likely didn’t see the jangot as unfair, because Confucian values were deeply accepted in society. People generally believed that wearing it was part of showing modesty and respect, which were considered important virtues for women. Women may have seen it as a natural part of their role and duty rather than as inequality. However, from today’s perspective, it’s clear that the jangot was part of a system that limited women’s freedom and kept them in traditional roles.

In other countries that also followed Confucian ideas, like China and Japan, women didn’t have to cover their faces like in Korea. In Korea, Confucianism became very strict, especially in the Joseon Dynasty, so women had to wear special veils like the jangot to cover their faces when going outside

In China and Japan, Confucianism was also important, but they didn’t make women cover their faces. In China, women showed respect by dressing neatly or doing their hair nicely, not by covering their faces. In Japan, they had different clothing traditions and rules

So, the rule for women to cover their faces in Korea was special to Korea because Confucianism was taken very seriously there.