A Study on the Introduction of the Metric System and Standardized Measurement System in Modern Hanbok Making: Focusing on Hanbok Dressmaking Instructional Books Published from 1925 to 1961

The modern measurement system in Korea evolved through the Korean Empire, the Japanese colonial period, and the post-liberation era. This transformation significantly impacted modern Hanbok making. Traditionally, Hanbok making relied on the Korean measurement system, cheokgwanbeop(尺貫法). However, during the Korean Empire and Japanese colonial periods, Japanese gok-cheok and kyong-cheok(鯨尺) became standard measurements, blending traditional Korean and Japanese systems in modern Hanbok making. As metric systems, aligned with international standards, gradually spread, the metric system was established after 1945. Adopting the metric system standardized measurement units led to advancements in sizing systems for Hanbok making. Books by Son Jeong-gyu(孫貞圭), published between 1925 and 1948, reveal the application of the metric system to Hanbok measurements. Standardizing the metric system facilitated communication between authors and readers of Korean dressmaking coursebooks, enhancing the efficiency of Korean dressmaking education. As Hanbok-making theories and techniques evolved, so did the methods for providing garment measurements. Standardized measurements shifted to a format applicable to all garment subcategories, promoting the transition from custom-made to ready-to-wear Hanbok. In conclusion, the transformation in measurement systems and sizing methods observed in modern Korean dressmaking coursebooks published from 1925 to 1961 is a significant factor reflecting the historical trajectory of Hanbok making. This evolution has contributed to the development of the Hanbok as a practical and efficient form of clothing in contemporary times.