komu-kkot-shin (Shoes)

At this time, western-style shoes normally were worn. Primarily old women wore rubber shoes made in traditional style. By this time traditional Korean clothes were only worn at special occasions. Before 1919, rubber shoes in Korean style were made in Japan and imported into Korea. The first rubber factory in Korea was opened by Koreans in 1919. Shoes were made in the same form as traditional Korean shoes, and were advertised as being practical and comfortable, as well as being economical. For these reasons they were adopted by ordinary people and became very common. Pusan was famous for its rubber shoes. A factory to make rubber shoes for men still exists, although the shape of the shoes has changed from the traditional form. During the Korean War period they became expensive. Black shoes made out of used rubber from tires were made, and white ones became coveted and expensive. Painted rubber shoes were popular in Korea until the 1970s. They are now made of rubber with embroidered satin. Children’s shoes of this style earlier had been made of leather covered with embroidered fabric. The small heel is a modern style, as traditional Korean shoes did not have heels. The shape of girls’ shoes was more decorative than those for men and boys. Such decorated shoes were worn at New Year, or another special holiday, with traditional clothing. Children cherished them, and sometimes carried them to preserve them. They were sometimes given as New Year’s gifts. As they are no longer made, such shoes are now rare.

The gold decoration is partially painted and partially gold-stamp work.

A pair of flat-soled shoes with upturned toes made of rubber. Soles are off-white, and have raised wavy lines alternating with straight lines except under the arch. Arch has two large characters, one above the other, with four characters above, and four characters below. Shoes have low sides, and small heels. They are red on the outside, decorated with floral shapes in gold, one on each side of the heel, one on each side at the centre, and two on each side at the front, with a stylized Chinese(?) character in a raised circle between them. There is a narrow band of white at the top, a vertical white line at the centre front, and a white panel at the back with concave sides. Insoles are off-white, and the sides are pink on the inside. Insoles are stamped in red with an oval with haracters at the centre, and below, and words in English above. Below this, there is a round paper label printed in red, gold, and yellow. Below this, there is a rectangle stamped in blue with two numbers, and other marks. Below this is a rectangle stamped in green with three characters.