Chuseok this year was exceptionally early to the point that it didn’t really feel like Chuseok to me as I was still in summer mode. I have been celebrating the harvest festival of the full moon in September/October for a few years now and I am always excited when it arrives. Regardless of it being so early, it did not make it any less fun because the Korean Cultural Center in Ottawa delighted us with two very interesting workshops on how to make a Zoomchi pouch and a wallet, both traditional items for Chuseok. 

I signed up online and received an envelope at home with all the items needed for this process. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the first workshop I learned that Hanji paper can be soaked in water, something I did not know before. It was fascinating to be able to do that with paper that dries up and becomes hardened. I think I have fallen in love with Hanji paper after this workshop hehe

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also learned about the tradition and cultural aspects associated with the usage of Hanji paper and how Koreans have incorporated this into Chuseok. 

We ended the first workshop by preparing all the Hanji paper and letting them dry.

 

The second workshop is where the fun began as we made the two items by carefully following the instructions set forth by the teacher. 

I really, really enjoyed the entire process of handling the Hanji paper and seeing what it can create. The Zoomchi pouch is filled with a small bag of rice from the first harvest, and a small paper is attached that carries good wishes for prosperity in the year ahead. You can hang that in your house or place it where you like. 

The wallet was used to give money to your relatives as a gift, so I am debating whether to “hide” money in there or not. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

The two gorgeous items are now adorning my end table, thus adding to the Korean traditional items already present in my house. 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

​

Thank you to KCC for organizing this workshop both in-person and online and giving us the opportunity to learn and partake in this wonderful tradition for Chuseok. 

 

Happy Chuseok and Happy Fall season!!!

#koreanculturalcenter #zoomchipouch #chuseok #koreanculture #한국문화 #추석 #가을

​

Note: All photos were taken by Corina Sferdenschi

​

 

​