Korea Archery Culture Research Association meeting
This past weekend, David MacLean (3rd dan archer from Pusan) and I traveled to a small club (Ch'ongryang Jung) in a small town (Bonghwa) in our province of Kyongbuk. The KACRA was having a seminar there. Mainly, I wanted to speak with Col. Kim about the horn/sinew situation, but also I wanted to listen to the two presentations given. One was on archery manners and the other, by Col. Kim, was on the history of the Korean target. Both were quite interesting.
David and I were the first ones there, so we went downtown to grab a bite to eat. After we arrived back at the club, we shot a couple ends with Ch'ongryang members. Later, after KACRA members arrived, we had an informal competition between two formed teams. I have to admit, I didn't shoot very well--a combination of lack of practice and a completely new (and different) target setup. Inbetween the shooting line and the targets is a sweet potato field. Also, in back of target #1 is a cement structure, resembling a pillbox fortification (I think it's a storage shed). The front of it is covered with several cm of a felt-like cloth, and the top is covered with dirt; still, it made one very apprehensive about shooting at that target.
Later, our group of a couple-dozen people went to town for dinner. After dinner, we traveled for about a half-hour to a large, old Korean traditional house which was made into a kind of bed and breakfast. We had our seminar presentations there, and also slept there.
The next morning, David said he saw members outside shooting. I heard them say they were going to shoot, but I wasn't exactly sure where. Well, I found out: from the edge of a farmer's field, over a tree nursery, through power lines, and over a schoolyard wall, to where a small, portable cloth target was set up. I think the distance was quite a bit different from what we normally shoot, but nobody knew exactly how long it was. I joined in, in any case. In the end, I think about three or four of us hit the target a couple times. Four of us hit power lines, deflecting the arrows down into the nursery (nobody was in it, of course). Quite an experience.
After that, we went out for breakfast, and then we parted ways. Here are some pics:
David and I were the first ones there, so we went downtown to grab a bite to eat. After we arrived back at the club, we shot a couple ends with Ch'ongryang members. Later, after KACRA members arrived, we had an informal competition between two formed teams. I have to admit, I didn't shoot very well--a combination of lack of practice and a completely new (and different) target setup. Inbetween the shooting line and the targets is a sweet potato field. Also, in back of target #1 is a cement structure, resembling a pillbox fortification (I think it's a storage shed). The front of it is covered with several cm of a felt-like cloth, and the top is covered with dirt; still, it made one very apprehensive about shooting at that target.
Later, our group of a couple-dozen people went to town for dinner. After dinner, we traveled for about a half-hour to a large, old Korean traditional house which was made into a kind of bed and breakfast. We had our seminar presentations there, and also slept there.
The next morning, David said he saw members outside shooting. I heard them say they were going to shoot, but I wasn't exactly sure where. Well, I found out: from the edge of a farmer's field, over a tree nursery, through power lines, and over a schoolyard wall, to where a small, portable cloth target was set up. I think the distance was quite a bit different from what we normally shoot, but nobody knew exactly how long it was. I joined in, in any case. In the end, I think about three or four of us hit the target a couple times. Four of us hit power lines, deflecting the arrows down into the nursery (nobody was in it, of course). Quite an experience.
After that, we went out for breakfast, and then we parted ways. Here are some pics:
More.
More.
More.
Wow, the Korean land is so beautiful and lush. I want to move there, or at least visit for some time.
How did the meeting go?
Did you learn why the ban was placed on horn/sinew, or if it will be lifted?
How did the meeting go?
Did you learn why the ban was placed on horn/sinew, or if it will be lifted?
SW,
The meeting was really good. We learned a lot about the subjects presented (Col. Kim's talk was especially interesting).
We learned a little bit more, but strangely enough many of the members were unaware of the problem. However, there were glimmers of hope. Kun-ho Lee, the owner/operator of http://www.archerynews.com said that he believes it's possible to go through procedures to legally import horn into Korea, which I will look into, although I think it will be an uphill battle. Also, we were told that one horn bowyer from the city of Ch'onan set up a shop in China and travels there to make his bows; he then brings them back to Korea. So, things are happening.
Also, you have probably seen Stephen's letter and Karl Zeilinger sent a similar letter to the Korean embassy in Germany based upon the following ideas he wrote:
"Draft for a possible argument strategy.
1. The responsible Korean government authorities should be contacted from our side and
asked for the reason of that import prohibition for horn and sinew.
2. In parallel we should contact the Korean Embassies in our homelands and ask the same questions (I am in contact with the Korean Embassy in Berlin).
3. In these contacts and inquiries our fear regarding the future of the traditional Korean hornbow makers should not refer to ?the possible end of a - nice to have ? but unfortunately just minor important niche industry?, we have to refer instead to the significance of Korean hornbow making as a traditional craftsmanship and a unique Korean handicraft with a more than 1000 years tradition and history.
We have to remind the government authorities on their special responsibilities and that they have undertaken an obligation when the Korean Government enacted the
CULTURAL PROPERTIES PROTECTION LAW in 1962, FOR THE BETTER PRESERVATION; INHERITANCE AND PROMOTION OF INVALUABLE HANDICRAFT CRAFTSMANSHIP.
This law protects and promotes the Korean traditional hornbow makers and their craft
explicitly as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 47.
4. Following this line I quote from the book ?Traditional Handicrafts? published 2001 by
Cultural Properties Administration, The Republic of Korea:
?Korea?s cultural heritage, accumulated throughout its long history, is a mirror which reflects the nation?s identity and serves to heighten its status in the world today.
Arts and crafts, containing the spirit of artists, not only endow us with substantial present benefits, but give us insight with which to advance to tomorrow.
To hand down traditional handicrafts to future generation as Korea?s national heritage, we should preserve and improve the authentic skills.
Traditional arts and crafts are certainly one of the prime movers of modern development. We of this generation therefore have good reason for passing them on to our children?.
After all we should finally remind the Korean government authorities of their own
wordings in their Cultural Heritage Charter, and that these authorities have committed themselves in this charter to protect and support the national intangible cultural assets of Korea:
Cultural Heritage Charter
A nations cultural heritage embodies its intellectual and spiritual contributions to the civilization of mankind.
Cultural properties, whether tangible or intangible, represent both the essence and the basis of national culture. Our Korean cultural properties are even more dear to us because they have survived various unfortunate chapters of our long history.
Our ongoing efforts to understand, explore, and nurture this cultural heritage deepen our love to our country and of our fellow countrymen.
All of us must work together to protect our historic relics and their surrounding from being damaged or destroyed, since cultural properties can never revert to their original condition.
We thus proclaim this Cultural Heritage Charter, committing ourselves to the supreme task of handing on to future generations our spiritual and physical assets as they were handed down to us by our ancestors.
Cultural properties must be preserved in their original condition.
Cultural properties, as well as their surroundings, must be protected from unplanned development.
Cultural properties must never be destroyed, stolen, or illegally traded under any circumstances, because they are beyond material value.
The value of our cultural heritage must be taught and widely propagated through education at home, in school, and in society.
All of us must contribute to preserving, developing, and transmitting our glorious national culture."
Karl later wrote me that he received the following reply from the Korean embassy:
"Import of cattle and/or cattle products (including water buffalo) into Korea is strictly prohibited now for an unlimited duration.
The reason is serious: Domestic cattle population and cattle farming industry must be protected against introduction of BSE, mad cow disease, and foot- and mouth-disease from infested areas in Asia (China).
A few years ago we have had the same problem in Europe, when mad cow disease occured in Great Britain and soon spread over most countries on the continent.
The British had to kill and burne almost their total cattle population to overcome that disease.
All European borders were closed for cattle and cattle products for several years.
From my momentary point of view we only can hope that the Korean borders will open again maybe in two or three years, when Chinese and other relevant Asian officials can prove that their territory is clean again."
T
The meeting was really good. We learned a lot about the subjects presented (Col. Kim's talk was especially interesting).
We learned a little bit more, but strangely enough many of the members were unaware of the problem. However, there were glimmers of hope. Kun-ho Lee, the owner/operator of http://www.archerynews.com said that he believes it's possible to go through procedures to legally import horn into Korea, which I will look into, although I think it will be an uphill battle. Also, we were told that one horn bowyer from the city of Ch'onan set up a shop in China and travels there to make his bows; he then brings them back to Korea. So, things are happening.
Also, you have probably seen Stephen's letter and Karl Zeilinger sent a similar letter to the Korean embassy in Germany based upon the following ideas he wrote:
"Draft for a possible argument strategy.
1. The responsible Korean government authorities should be contacted from our side and
asked for the reason of that import prohibition for horn and sinew.
2. In parallel we should contact the Korean Embassies in our homelands and ask the same questions (I am in contact with the Korean Embassy in Berlin).
3. In these contacts and inquiries our fear regarding the future of the traditional Korean hornbow makers should not refer to ?the possible end of a - nice to have ? but unfortunately just minor important niche industry?, we have to refer instead to the significance of Korean hornbow making as a traditional craftsmanship and a unique Korean handicraft with a more than 1000 years tradition and history.
We have to remind the government authorities on their special responsibilities and that they have undertaken an obligation when the Korean Government enacted the
CULTURAL PROPERTIES PROTECTION LAW in 1962, FOR THE BETTER PRESERVATION; INHERITANCE AND PROMOTION OF INVALUABLE HANDICRAFT CRAFTSMANSHIP.
This law protects and promotes the Korean traditional hornbow makers and their craft
explicitly as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 47.
4. Following this line I quote from the book ?Traditional Handicrafts? published 2001 by
Cultural Properties Administration, The Republic of Korea:
?Korea?s cultural heritage, accumulated throughout its long history, is a mirror which reflects the nation?s identity and serves to heighten its status in the world today.
Arts and crafts, containing the spirit of artists, not only endow us with substantial present benefits, but give us insight with which to advance to tomorrow.
To hand down traditional handicrafts to future generation as Korea?s national heritage, we should preserve and improve the authentic skills.
Traditional arts and crafts are certainly one of the prime movers of modern development. We of this generation therefore have good reason for passing them on to our children?.
After all we should finally remind the Korean government authorities of their own
wordings in their Cultural Heritage Charter, and that these authorities have committed themselves in this charter to protect and support the national intangible cultural assets of Korea:
Cultural Heritage Charter
A nations cultural heritage embodies its intellectual and spiritual contributions to the civilization of mankind.
Cultural properties, whether tangible or intangible, represent both the essence and the basis of national culture. Our Korean cultural properties are even more dear to us because they have survived various unfortunate chapters of our long history.
Our ongoing efforts to understand, explore, and nurture this cultural heritage deepen our love to our country and of our fellow countrymen.
All of us must work together to protect our historic relics and their surrounding from being damaged or destroyed, since cultural properties can never revert to their original condition.
We thus proclaim this Cultural Heritage Charter, committing ourselves to the supreme task of handing on to future generations our spiritual and physical assets as they were handed down to us by our ancestors.
Cultural properties must be preserved in their original condition.
Cultural properties, as well as their surroundings, must be protected from unplanned development.
Cultural properties must never be destroyed, stolen, or illegally traded under any circumstances, because they are beyond material value.
The value of our cultural heritage must be taught and widely propagated through education at home, in school, and in society.
All of us must contribute to preserving, developing, and transmitting our glorious national culture."
Karl later wrote me that he received the following reply from the Korean embassy:
"Import of cattle and/or cattle products (including water buffalo) into Korea is strictly prohibited now for an unlimited duration.
The reason is serious: Domestic cattle population and cattle farming industry must be protected against introduction of BSE, mad cow disease, and foot- and mouth-disease from infested areas in Asia (China).
A few years ago we have had the same problem in Europe, when mad cow disease occured in Great Britain and soon spread over most countries on the continent.
The British had to kill and burne almost their total cattle population to overcome that disease.
All European borders were closed for cattle and cattle products for several years.
From my momentary point of view we only can hope that the Korean borders will open again maybe in two or three years, when Chinese and other relevant Asian officials can prove that their territory is clean again."
T
I find it hard to believe, that a dried sinew can cause disease, as it is shipped to the bowyer's house, shredded and then glued onto a bow.
The horn is dried, and sometimes cleaned in chemicals to kill bacteria.
If anyone knows about how the stuff spreads, please tell me.
I can't imagine the building materials in a bowyer's shop will affect the whole Korean cattle stock on a large scale.
The horn is dried, and sometimes cleaned in chemicals to kill bacteria.
If anyone knows about how the stuff spreads, please tell me.
I can't imagine the building materials in a bowyer's shop will affect the whole Korean cattle stock on a large scale.
I find it hard to believe, that a dried sinew can cause disease, as it is shipped to the bowyer's house, shredded and then glued onto a bow.
The Korean gov't is using a sledge hammer to kill a mouse (and like in the movie Mouse Hunt, they break down the house doing it).
T
The Korean gov't is using a sledge hammer to kill a mouse (and like in the movie Mouse Hunt, they break down the house doing it).
T
Thomas, just a question on the Horn and sinue issue. Only Buffalo horn and sinnue is used for Bow construction?
From the response of the Korean Embassy it seems that in Korea they have their own cows and perhaps buffaloes. Can't they user their own?
I live in Argentina where the cattle industry is very important and when in our country or neighbouring countries any cow disease is detected the first thing you must do is to close your borders. This is so serious that even inside Argentina there is a border between Patagonia and the rest of the country because of foot and mouth disease. When you travel to Patagonia from Buenos Aires you can not take any meat product.
I understand that this hurts archery tradition(you know I love Korean Archery) but I also tend to understand the concerns from the Korean Officials.
From the response of the Korean Embassy it seems that in Korea they have their own cows and perhaps buffaloes. Can't they user their own?
I live in Argentina where the cattle industry is very important and when in our country or neighbouring countries any cow disease is detected the first thing you must do is to close your borders. This is so serious that even inside Argentina there is a border between Patagonia and the rest of the country because of foot and mouth disease. When you travel to Patagonia from Buenos Aires you can not take any meat product.
I understand that this hurts archery tradition(you know I love Korean Archery) but I also tend to understand the concerns from the Korean Officials.
Carlos,
Korean bowyers used to use domestic sinew in their bows, but the slaughterhouses began curtailing it, as they felt that removing the backstrap ruined the quality of the meat. From what I was told, they raised the price of backstrap 5x, which made it extremely expensive.
T
Korean bowyers used to use domestic sinew in their bows, but the slaughterhouses began curtailing it, as they felt that removing the backstrap ruined the quality of the meat. From what I was told, they raised the price of backstrap 5x, which made it extremely expensive.
T
BSE is a prion based disease and I think it can be carried in connective tissue like sinews. The normal processing of sinew for bowmaking would not eliminate it. Perhaps some one who works in the field could coment on it.
Horn does not contain cells as far as I know and is simply made of keratin. Since boiling horn is a normal practice, I would imagine that would eliminate foot and mouth disease.
Horn and sinew incorporated into a bow would in the normal course of events not be in a position to transmit either disease.
I do not know the current state of research on these diseases. There might have been breakthroughs. Both are very serious problems, but archery should be safe as long as we don't eat the bows or feed them to cattle!
Horn does not contain cells as far as I know and is simply made of keratin. Since boiling horn is a normal practice, I would imagine that would eliminate foot and mouth disease.
Horn and sinew incorporated into a bow would in the normal course of events not be in a position to transmit either disease.
I do not know the current state of research on these diseases. There might have been breakthroughs. Both are very serious problems, but archery should be safe as long as we don't eat the bows or feed them to cattle!