Gache

The (Korean: ; Hanja: Template:Category handler) is a traditional Korean wig worn by women. Historically, were expensive accessories worn only by women of high social standing, alongside . They were decorated with silk objects, gold, jewels, silver, coral, jade, and other expensive materials. Certain decorations were reserved for royalty.

History

Historically, women of high social backgrounds and wore , with larger and heavier wigs considered to be more aesthetically pleasing. Due to the expense of purchasing a new , some lower-class families took up to 6–7 years preparing a new wig for their new daughter-in-law.

Use of the flourished in Goryeo, the Three Kingdoms, Balhae, the Gaya confederacy, and Gojoseon. became so popular that in 1788, King Jeongjo of Joseon prohibited and banned by royal decree the use of , as they were deemed contrary to Confucian values of reserve and restraint.

In the 19th century, women began to wear the , a small hat that substituted for the . However, still enjoyed vast popularity in circles and traditional weddings.

were known for their relatively heavy weight, totalling around with accessories; one record reports an incident where a heavy wig led to the death of a 13-year-old bride, as the heavy wig compromised her neck as she was getting up to greet her father-in-law entering the room.

Gallery

• Empress Sunjeong of the Korean Empire, 1909
  Empress Sunjeong of the Korean Empire, 1909
• Modern representation
  Modern representation
• 18th-century illustration of a gache
  18th-century illustration of a gache
• Illustration from the late 18th-century
  Illustration from the late 18th-century
• Cutouts on display the Dae Jang Geum Theme Park, depicting Yang Mi-kyung and Kyeon Mi-ri playing the roles of Lady Han and Lady Choi wearing a gache
  Cutouts on display the Dae Jang Geum Theme Park, depicting Yang Mi-kyung and Kyeon Mi-ri playing the roles of Lady Han and Lady Choi wearing a gache

External links

• Template:In lang Brief information about