Yeoju Ipo-ri Onggi Ware Gama

The onggi (traditional earthenware) kiln in Ipo-ri, Yeoju, consists of three kilns differing in size and use. The large kiln is used to fire large jars and is currently the one used most. Built roughly 100 years ago, it originally had a floor more than 40 m long, but as onggi production gradually declined, its rear section was cut away to make firewood use more efficient, reducing its length to 24.5 m. Along its side are stoking holes (changgumeong) for feeding the fire. The medium-sized kiln is about 10.7 m long; its structure is almost identical to that of a tong-gama (barrel-shaped kiln) but on a smaller scale, so it is called a "moetong-gama" or "jageun-daepo-gama" (small cannon kiln). This kiln is used to fire small items and half-glazed (banoji) ware. The small kiln is about 7 m long. Because of its short length it is also called a "dan-gama" (short kiln), and because it is mainly used to fire steamers (siru), it is also called a "siru-gama." It retains the most primitive kiln form, being entirely enclosed except for its firebox (agungi). Today, Kim Chang-ho, the third son of Kim Il-man and an assistant instructor in the transmission of the craft, mainly produces plain earthenware together with purye pottery, a grey stoneware finished by smoking. The Ipo-ri onggi kiln continues traditional methods of onggi-making and firing and faithfully follows the wood-fired kiln tradition, giving it an important role in carrying this heritage forward.

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Where it is

Region

Yeoju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Folklore Heritage · 시도민속문화유산