Building a culture of bows beyond Gakgung, archery commander Kwon Moo-seok

The 23rd intangible cultural asset of Seoul, the family of Kwon Moo-seok, the head of the palace, made Gakgung in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, about 300 years ago during the reign of King Sukjong of the Joseon Dynasty. Kwon Moo-seok is the 12th generation archery master, and his son Oh Jeong is the 13th generation. Kwon Moo-seok, the archery master, naturally helped him make gakgung from an early age. But when he was 16 he left home and he worked as a postal worker and bus driver. After hearing the words of his older brother Yeong-ho, “The stem of the bow has been cut off,” he struggled, and at the age of 37 returned to making bows. Archery master Kwon Moo-seok had an interest in and affection for the overall bow culture, and did not stop at making Gakgung. He learned traditional judicial techniques from Jang Seok Hu, a master of traditional archery skills, and made a book titled 《The Manual of National Archery》. In 1994, he planned the National Archery Culture Festival and taught archery at the Military Academy and the Police Academy. For archery master Kwon Moo-seok, making Gakgung is to protect and preserve the excellence and spirit of our traditional culture.

Inquiries: Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Donhwamun Education Exhibition Center 02)741-1303