Timeless Traditions: Korean Craft ASMR
Experience the charm of Korean craft with firsthand talks and demonstrations by ten master artisans of Korean National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Each artisan will introduce their traditional techniques and share the spirit of Korean crafts handed down for hundreds of years. Short films will showcase intimate moments of creation as masterpieces are born under the masters’ meticulous hands.
After the talks, satisfy your curiosity with a dedicated Q&A session. Don’t miss this special chance to delve into Korean traditional crafts!
This program celebrates the opening of our blockbuster exhibition Korean Treasures.
This program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition The Beauty of Korean Hospitality, currently on view at the Old Korean Legation Museum in Washington, DC.
Featured Crafts Calligraphy Engraving (Gakjajang) and Traditional Painting (Dancheongjang) , Sculpture (Jogakjang) and Metal Inlay (Ipsajang) , Bamboo Blinds-Making (Yeomjang) , Gold Leaf Appliqué (Geumbakjang) and Pyrographic…
Venue: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Building: East Building. Event Location: Flex Space; Gallery 27. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/timeless-traditions-korean-craft-asmr-tickets-1970695416039?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Demonstrations. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Inami Japanese Woodcarving Talk + Live Demo
Learn about Inami woodcarving firsthand with master woodcarver Nambu Hakuun, one of the leading artisan craftsmen of this tradition.
Inami woodcarving (井波彫刻) is a craft tradition from Toyama prefecture, Japan, renowned for its extraordinarily intricate carving techniques. It originated over 250 year ago with the restoration of the local Zuisen-ji Temple following a major fire. The tradition flourished alongside temple architecture and the development of ranma (transoms) used in traditional Japanese homes, and it persisted despite the impacts of rapid global modernization. Today, Inami’s carvers apply their masterful techniques, rooted in a rigorous five-year apprenticeship system, to a wide range of creative works, from traditional commissions to contemporary designs.
Nambu Hakuun will introduce the history of Inami woodcarving, the lineage of his own workshop, and some of his key works across Japan.
Then, he will demonstrate the traditional creation process step by step—from washi paper sketching to rough…
Venue: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Building: East Building. Event Location: Flex Space, Gallery 27. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Categories: Demonstrations. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.