Korean VS Japanese & Chinese Traditional Furniture

[@Stollefson84]

You just taught me more about the history of Korea than my entire public education

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I felt like I was being a better student learning all of this than while I was learning it in school 🤣🤣

[@AmazonMilkboneSlinger]

Had a buddy on discord share this video with me since we talked about cultural differences over the phone for a swift 2 hours one night. I don’t have any particular interest in Korean furniture however I do think you’re a very good storyteller and history narrator on the history behind the furniture. Best of luck in your endeavors in the future you’re into a hobby that is not highly sought after. (And that’s a GOOD THING) wish you many successes in your future.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you so much! How cool that y’all were talking about cultural differences and such an honor to get brought up in that conversation :-). Appreciate you sharing that story and moment with me! I’ll keep doing my best!

[@keithkoenig2129]

Clara, Im sure it took you hours of research to make this informative video, it was really interesting. Thanks for sharing all your hard work.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you so much, Keith!!! I really appreciate that! 🙏🙏🙏

[@MyMibo]

Amazing! I can only imagine how much much research went into this. The context and details y’all went into point out the nuances. So much appreciation for the work on this.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you so much, Mibo!!! It really did take a TON of work and Don is still recovering from his many sleepless nights both to research and edit the video, lol. Can't wait to catch up and here more of your thoughts on this in an upcoming zoom chat if you can make it!

[@MyMibo]

@@ClarasWoodshop 💯

[@giorgiochiappini1931]

Definitely enjoyed both the topic and long format!

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Georgio! We worked hard on it! :-)

[@giorgiochiappini1931]

​@@ClarasWoodshop It clearly shows from viewing it! We all need content that comes from hard, serious, professional work like this. You both have the skills to make "deep diving into subjects" entartaining. I would love to watch another work like this about contemporary korean furniture next time, as you sure know there are some incredible designers and creators you could connect with and talk about (and also gain some views from :P). As soon as I fell in love with woodworking, watching youtubers and movies from there, I've been amazed by what South Korea is pulling out in terms of furniture design. Very clear, clean and beautiful pieces wich are probably the hardest.

[@giorgiochiappini1931]

@@ClarasWoodshop It definetly showed from watching it! We all need more content coming through hard and professional work like you did on this one. You both have the skills needed to make "deep diving on a subject" content entertaining. I'd love to see a work like this about contemporary korean furniture also. As you sure know there are lots of great designers that you could connect to and talk about (and also get some views from :P). Since I fell in love with woodworking, watching youtubers and movies from there, I've been amazed by furniture designs that South Korea is been pulling out, clear, simple and beautiful: probably the hardest ones.

[@vpower9232]

👋Thanks, this Furniture is unique and interesting. It would be good to see you create a few pieces using your own style. I want to see you mix different woods and make something authentic that’s completely your ideal. Also it would be good to see you organize your shop. 🤗🤗🤗

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I'd be interested in working on another Korean inspired furniture! It will be a nerve racking but fun challenge to mix multiple species. I feel like all my instinct will be screaming 😂

[@markhayes9004]

Awesome video again Clara! I hope you are having a wonderful week. I'm looking forward to seeing your next project.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you, Mark! The week has been great so far! Can’t wait to work on a new project too!

[@erichraudebaugh]

Great video, I knew very little about traditional Korean furniture before watching this, but I was really impressed with aesthetics, form and design.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you, Erich! To be honest, I knew very little before diving into the research about this too! I learned a lot and really did develop a new-found appreciation for it :-).

[@JamesWoodsWorld]

I will admit this wasn't what i was expecting or looking for. However, this was a wonderful history lesson on Korean furniture. I enjoyed every second and want to say thank you.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you! And I'm glad you can appreciate it 😁🙌

[@Craftlngo]

This video is coming full circle for me. I've seen the Guitar builds featured on another channel that I'm following for a long time. I was amazed by the quality and the style of both of the instruments. They are very recognisable!

[@ClarasWoodshop]

You did!? Yeah, their guitars are so unique I wish more people to know about them!

[@claybowser698]

I had a good friend in elementary school in the 1970's whose family came directly from Korea. He could barely speak English and his mother and father spoke no English really. They would always invite me over to their house for dinner. Gosh I loved going over there. Their house was filled with old Korean furniture and just really fascinating and neat stuff. I remember tracing my fingers along the curves and the lines of that furniture and it felt cool and nice.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

That's awesome you have such fond memories with them! My grandma has this coffee table with really cool carving and I remember poking through every holes and just tracing along the curve. I think I'd still do that 😂

[@matthysloedolff]

I really liked this video and can appreciate the effort you put in to deliver all this information. That tongue twister at the end hurt my brain slightly 😂

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you so much!! And feel you, that tongue twister was one heck of a brain twister too 🤣🤣

[@brooos]

Awesome video. Looking forward to learning more about the beautiful guitars shown,

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you! Looking forward to make the video about them! :-)

[@jacobpost5519]

Nice videos. Just subscribed today. Greetings from 🇳🇱

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you for commenting and saying Hi! Greetings from the USA!

[@rawr2u190]

This is so interesting and those are some cool pieces.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I 100% agree 😁😁

[@kady5398]

I very much enjoyed your video, very impressive to see the differences and the why’s.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you so much!!! I appreciate that! 🙏🙏🙏

[@winstontilley5208]

1:59, granpa Amu? Awsome!

[@ClarasWoodshop]

😁🙌

[@sarasharick5209]

This was beautiful! Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed what I learned.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you so much, Sara!!! I really appreciate that! 🙏🙏🙏

[@nielsverhaar6005]

That was great Clara. Now to build a Korean cabinet

[@ClarasWoodshop]

It's definitely on my list 😁🙌

[@KarlBunker]

Thank you for this! A super interesting and informative look at a topic that doesn't get much attention in the west. Also, love your ear jewelry.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I'm glad you find the topic interesting!! I like my ear piece so much it's the one that I wear 98% of the year 🤣

[@erikgeorge3770]

awesomeness ❤ very informative and enjoyable, thank you.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thanks, Erik!! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@JackTse]

great vid guys. shoutout to don for the editing too

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you so much, Jack! He worked super hard on this one!

[@jimrosson6702]

Very interesting thanks for sharing

[@ClarasWoodshop]

And thank you for appreciating it!

[@YankeeDave75B2O]

Clara, After watching your videos, I marvel at your craftsmanship... I also, wish I had stayed in the Army long enough, to have gone to Korea, and maybe I would have found a brilliant Korean lady like yourself!

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Hahaha, appreciate the compliment! You can still visit Korea! :-)

[@YankeeDave75B2O]

I also forgot "beautiful" in my prior comment!@@ClarasWoodshop

[@hstwodrainage.1410]

Very interesting.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you! I’m glad you think so!

[@schatjager]

Very interesting and highly informative. One thing i had a question on, and you may have answered it but i usually watch videos with an inquisitive 7yo around, what are the stretchers under the feet for?

[@ClarasWoodshop]

It wasn't explained in the video but that's a good question! The stretcher under the feet is a design aspect to add stability to the piece and another way to create visual balance 😁

[@KibumKim-g7u]

PROUD OF YOU!! My last name is KIM, too. Of course, Kim is the most popular sur name in Korea, haha!

[@ClarasWoodshop]

100% Almost 1/4 of the population sur name is Kim 😂😂😂

[@donbert]

So interesting. As a Korean American growing up in the US I saw it growing up as decoration at home and visiting other families but never really looked at them for their original intended function. We had a very ornate Nong stack and it’s basically where my parents would hide presents because we didn’t have a day to day use for it and so there was never a reason to look in there. 😂

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Hahaha your parents had a perfect spot! And I totally understand you not knowing their original function because my parents had a medicine cabinet(the one with million drawers lol) and we used it to store every small items around the house 😂

[@bridgetl.303]

My mother had a chest for many years in our dining room, and until your video, I didn’t realize that it was Korean. We lived among a large Chinese community and I thought the cabinet was Chinese - nope, definitely Korean!

[@ClarasWoodshop]

That’s awesome that you got to crack the code!! Did you got to tell/ask your mother if she knew?

[@jelmano]

You have got to visit Mr. Kwak, a Korean furniture maker and restorer in his seventies, in Los Angeles Koreatown. Oh, and his phone doesnt work so well, so good luck.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

You gave me a challenge 😂 Does Mr. Kwak has a store I can visit?

[@jelmano]

​​@@ClarasWoodshop Yes. He repaired few of my Korean furnitures that I just brought to AZ.

[@williamwoody7607]

I’ve never found a way to duplicate red lacquer. Will you be covering that, or can you recommend a source of information?

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I have neither but I'll see what I can find when I visit Korea this April!

[@williamwoody7607]

@@ClarasWoodshop thanks!

[@silverbackag9790]

It’s gotta be in the net somewhere. They teach lacquering in some of the community centers in Seoul (and probably other cities). And most of the these are taught by named “human national treasures.”

[@TheRaven0811]

The furniture with the metal decorations is reminiscent of campaign furniture used from the time of the Roman empire. Kind of makes me wonder if somewhere along the line both cultures were exchanging ideas.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I think that's a valid point to guess. If Chinese furniture influenced both Korea and Japan I would also think that could happen between these countries and others.

[@TheRaven0811]

@ClarasWoodshop considering how old the Chinese culture is, I would guess that they influenced the Romans. Either way, very interesting video. You have my subscription. Now I have to watch all of your videos!

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Thank you! Still figuring out my flow and video styles :-) Happy to hear any feedback you might have!

[@nevillewilkinson2444]

very insteeresting vidieo thank you from republic of ierland

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I’m glad you could appreciate it! :-)

[@nevillewilkinson2444]

thank you

[@AeonCatalyst]

This might be a stupid question, but when you say "from the north of Korea" are you talking about the region that the country "North Korea" occupies? I'm just trying to understand if South Korea contains that geographic area now, or if North Korea contains some of the "southern" geographic area when it comes to resources.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Yes, I’m referring to the region that North Korea now occupies but not necessarily all of it :-)

[@AeonCatalyst]

@@ClarasWoodshop Your videos are wonderful - I'm a happy new subscriber

[@bobweiram6321]

The shape of the Korean table reminds me of Native American sculpture with the eagle wings. I wonder if the legs inspired European cabriole legs, or the other way around.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Ohhh that's an interesting point! I think there would be some sort of overlap

[@andrewgalbreath2101]

I'm amused how many people think that historical research is just about wars and empires, and not the Real questions like "Did they use chairs?"

[@ClarasWoodshop]

🤣🤣 obviously, figuring out whether or not people used chairs is the MOST important aspect of any culture’s history lol

[@coffeedudeguy]

Could the mix of wood species be due to limited supply of certain wood species, so they found a way to make the most of what they have available? I imagine China probably monopolised or hoarded certain wood species for their own consumption, maybe

[@ClarasWoodshop]

That's actually a big part of it! Because of Korea's terrain and weather, there isn't an abundance of usable species and they always made do with what they had! Great job linking that!

[@coffeedudeguy]

@ I only thought of it because I remember watching some period K drama and learned that the palace food was less elaborate compared to neighbouring countries at the time. Ironically, Korean furniture ended up holding up better because of the mix of materials lol! The wacky grain patterns and metal reinforcements also look cool because of that, almost steampunk or dwarven even

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Ooooh, what an interesting connection you made in design to draw it to dwarven or steampunk! 🕵️‍♀️

[@MaddieLivingston42069]

Are you making any furniture like this?

[@ClarasWoodshop]

I can't say that I'll be making one any time soon but I might try to make another Korean inspired furniture after I get several projects done 😁🙌

[@rea59]

Awesome! I learned a lot. I also watch another Korean furniture makers you tube channel, 우드로이현 Woodro LeeHyun 목공TV

[@cillyede]

❤🇩🇪❤

[@ClarasWoodshop]

😊🙌

[@silverbackag9790]

lol…listening on my phone. It sounds like you are calling the two stacked chests “michin nom.” (Which means “crazy bastard” but a stronger insult than the English connotation). Wife is Korean and I lived there off and on for around 14 years.

[@ClarasWoodshop]

Oh my gosh!!!! I just cracked up 🤣🤣🤣 Did you tell your wife?