Journal

The Kotoba Interactive journal.

Editorial features on the cultures, history and languages of Asia. Filter by culture, by topic, or search for what inspires you.

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4 articles

Korea

Gros plan sur le dancheong des avant-toits du palais Gyeongbokgung : chevrons peints de motifs floraux aux spirales bleues, vertes et rouges cernées de noir, ornées de lotus roses.

Arts14 min

Dancheong: The Colors of Korean Temples Decoded

Blue, red, yellow, white, black: dancheong paints Korea's temples and palaces. Decoding the five cardinal colors and their symbolism.

July 10, 2026Read

Korea

Représentation lors du World Pansori Festival de Séoul, en 2023.

Arts6 min

Pansori: Korea's opera of a single breath

Discovering pansori, the Korean epic chant: the singer and his drum, han, the great tales, the UNESCO listing and its surprising revival.

June 8, 2026Read

Korea

Peinture de Kim Hong-do (Danwon) représentant un combat de ssireum, la lutte traditionnelle coréenne.

Traditions6 min

Ssireum: the traditional wrestling of Korea

History and rules of ssireum, Korean traditional wrestling: the satba belt, the sand ring, the bull prize, the Cheonha Jangsa title and UNESCO heritage status.

May 9, 2026Read

Korea

Œuvre en hanji, le papier traditionnel coréen, réalisée à Gyeongju.

Arts7 min

Hanji: the Korean paper that lives a thousand years

History and making of hanji, traditional Korean mulberry paper: its origins, legendary durability, its uses in the hanok and its worldwide revival.

February 22, 2026Read