Cha hyung-won

Cha hyung-won (Hangul: 차형원 [ 車亨元 ]; September 5,1890-July 2,1972), was designated as Ingan-munhwage in 16 Jenuary 1967 for the Gangneung Danohje, which is one of the Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea. He was specialized in Gwanno-Masque playing, which is the only kind of Pantomime. It was a satire of the caste system by lower class called gwanno.

Biography

Cha hyung-won was born in 5 September 1890 in Gangeung Korea. His father was (Hangul: 차인실(車仁實);) and lived in 132 dong Gangneung Seongnamdong. When he was 17 years old, he saw the last gwanno-Masque playing at Gangneung danohje in 1907 because it was disappeared in the latter era of the Choson Dynasty. As the gwanno-Masque playing was performed by gwanno,a man slave in government employ, Cha hyung-won denied tnat he was gwanno. After the Gwanno-Masque playing was desigated as the Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea in 16 January 1967, it was reconstructed by researchers. Cha hyung-won was one of the master who participated in organizing all of the information about Gwanno-Masque playing from the appearance of masque to performance. He passed away in July 2,1972.

Career

He actually worked as gwanno at the gwannocheong in Gangeung province until the latter era of Choson Dynasty and he made the masquw and had performance in the Gangneung Danohje. He participated historical resaerch about Gwanno-Masque playing since 1966 for restoration of the masque and organization of playing.

References

Local culture of Gangneung

Korean Cultural Heritage Association