The "Dangui" was a type of ceremonial attire worn by high-ranking individuals during the Joseon Dynasty, designed to be simple and in line with etiquette. Princess Deokhye wore the Dangui as ceremonial attire within the royal court, while commoners used it for wedding ceremonies and formal events.
The circular patch attached at the center of the Dangui is called 'Bo.' Generally, it's decorated with embroidery, but in Princess Deokhye's Dangui, the patch was crafted using the raised gold technique.
The white fabric at the end of the sleeves is referred to as 'Geodeulji.' Originally meant to cover hands, it also served to prevent the sleeves from getting soiled.
Outer seams, known as 'Goreum,' played a role in securing the garment in place. Moreover, there were inner seams called 'Angoreum' used to tie and secure the clothing first. These inner seams were color-coordinated and featured gold embroidery to match the aesthetics of the outer seams.
Thus, the Dangui epitomizes the beauty of Hanbok itself, and its intricate details play a significant role in understanding the costume culture during the Joseon Dynasty.
"The Dangui is one of the garments left by Princess Deokhye, the daughter of Emperor Gojong of the Korean Empire, during her stay in Japan. It was originally donated by the Imperial Couple of Japan to the Japanese Cultural Institute Costume Museum and was later re-donated to the National Palace Museum of Korea in 2015.
The Dangui is a ceremonial robe worn in the royal court, typically worn as everyday ceremonial attire. It has a longer length compared to the jacket, with slits on both sides and decorative sleeve cuffs. This particular Dangui is made of patterned green silk and is categorized as a single-layered Dangui, which suggests it might have been worn by Princess Deokhye around the age of one year. The garment has gold-embroidered 'Five-Clawed Dragon' motifs on the chest, back, and both shoulders.
The entire garment, including the front and back panels, collar, cuffs, and white sleeve cuffs, is adorned with the characters for 'longevity' (壽) and 'good fortune' (福) in gold embroidery."