Farmer Yim Dae-gyu looks at his collection of records and old calendars. Yim has been keeping detailed records of his daily routine and a farming journal in notebooks and calendars for 59 years.

Farmer Yim Dae-gyu looks at his collection of records and old calendars. Yim has been keeping detailed records of his daily routine and a farming journal in notebooks and calendars for 59 years.

Old, faded notebooks are filled with handwritten records and drawings.

Looking at the old notebooks, calendars, clipped news articles about the 1988 Summer Olympics, and records and drawings about farming in 1952, it seems like you’ve gotten on a time machine and traveled back a few decades.

These are all parts of personal records kept by farmer Yim Dae-gyu, aged 82, who says, “All records are history, which also includes being aged.” His farming journals, daily routines and calendars, which he maintained for 59 years, already fill two rooms.

Farming diaries and explanations of farming techniques are written by Yim.

Farming diaries and explanations of farming techniques are written by Yim.

Such records can now be seen by the public at a special exhibition dubbed “Wisdom and Knowledge From the Elders” at the National Folk Museum of Korea.

Slated for Sept. 30 to Nov. 8, this exhibition is designed to look back on the true meaning of the elderly, who are respected as seniors of the current younger generations and who help form the community. The exhibit features about 60 actual tools that old people used and video interviews of the elderly who have maintained their position, all while accumulating more and more experience and knowledge over a long period of time. Museum-goers can also see short films and photographs made by the elderly.

Watch repairman Oh Tae-jun repairs watches with a hammer that's more than 100 years old which he received from his father.

Watch repairman Oh Tae-jun repairs watches with a hammer that’s more than 100 years old which he received from his father.

 

The exhibition has on display watch repair tools used by Oh over the past 65 years.

The exhibition has on display watch repair tools used by Oh over the past 65 years.

The exhibition particularly focuses on stories from four seemingly ordinary, but actually extraordinary, elderly people, including Yim.

The exhibition sheds new light on the wisdom which seniors have obtained over their lives.

Oh Tae-jun, a watch craftsman, aged 82, is also one of the four featured specialists. “I feel delighted when I solve something that others were unable to do,” said Oh, adding that he still finds his work interesting. The exhibition has on display some of his tools, including a hammer that’s more than 100 years old, and a video interview of him.

Museum-goers can also learn about Yi Gyeong-ju, a 72-year-old tailor, who says that a well-made suit is one that is comfortable to wear. Yi says that he still thinks making a suit is like taking an exam, as it needs to satisfy his client. His old tools, like a tape measure and chalk, are also on display.

Blacksmith Park Gyeong-won, 79, says he is still learning a lot even though he has been doing his job for more than 60 years. Park’s hammers and anvil can also be seen at the exhibition.

Blacksmith Park Gyeong-won says he still keeps learning every day. The photo shows the smithy where he worked for 62 years.

Blacksmith Park Gyeong-won says he still keeps learning every day. The photo shows the smithy where he worked for 62 years.

 

An anvil and hammers are used by blacksmith Park Gyeong-won, who has been doing the job for 62 years.

An anvil and hammers are used by blacksmith Park Gyeong-won, who has been doing the job for 62 years.

The uniqueness of the exhibition lies in the active participation of the elderly people themselves, who took part in planning the exhibition and provided the items on display.

It also invites a senior logistics expert to be a contributing curator so that he can share his views and thoughts concerning the seniors with museum-goers.

The exhibition includes a performance by a band composed of elderly musicians, and a coffee-tasting involving senior citizen baristas, where the audience can see the elderly people enjoying their lives.

Another must-see is the short film series inside the exhibition where seven films will be introduced. They include some award-winning works from the Seoul International Senior Film Festival, such as “Jin-dol in My Home” by Byeon Young-hee, 69, who won the top prize at the festival in 2014.

Yi Gyeong-ju is a 72-year-old tailor who inherited the family business from his father. He says a well-made suit makes people feel more comfortable when they wear it.

Yi Gyeong-ju is a 72-year-old tailor who inherited the family business from his father. He says a well-made suit makes people feel more comfortable when they wear it.

 

Standard tailoring and sewing tools are used by Yi Gyeong-ju.

Standard tailoring and sewing tools are used by Yi Gyeong-ju.

The National Folk Museum of Korea said, “Like the African proverb that says, ‘When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground,’ senior citizens in traditional societies present the proper path for future generations based on their deep wisdom accumulated from experience.”

“The exhibition seeks to make positive changes in the social recognition of seniors, and to offer opportunities to widen their participation in society,” it added, emphasizing the meaning of the exhibition.

More information about the exhibition is available at the website of the National Folk Museum of Korea, with services in seven languages.
http://www.nfm.go.kr/ (7개어)

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: The National Folk Museum of Korea
arete@korea.kr

The exhibition shows pictures taken by senior citizen photographers. This photo, titled 'Life Ends Like That,' was taken by Oh Seo-yun, aged 79.

The exhibition shows pictures taken by senior citizen photographers. This photo, titled ‘Life Ends Like That,’ was taken by Oh Seo-yun, aged 79.

 

The exhibition shows pictures taken by Ra Yeong-su, aged 77. This work is titled 'Companions in the Twilight.'

The exhibition shows pictures taken by Ra Yeong-su, aged 77. This work is titled ‘Companions in the Twilight.’

 

A poster promotes the exhibition 'Wisdom and Knowledge From the Elders.'

A poster promotes the exhibition ‘Wisdom and Knowledge From the Elders.’