Princess Deokhye`s belongings return to Korea

Seven traditional gowns worn in Japan by Princess Deokhye (1912-1989), the only daughter of King Gojong, the first king of the Korean Empire (an empire that succeeded the Joseon Dynasty), returned to Korea after 90 years.

Sunao Onuma, chairman of Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum in Japan that has housed Princess Deokhye`s dresses, signed a memorandum of understanding for the donation at the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo, jointly with Korea`s Cultural Heritage Administration chief Na Seon-hwa. Deokhye’s belongings were transferred to Korea on Wednesday to be housed at the National Palace Museum.

The traditional gowns include a dangui (formal dress put on over jeogori), a red long skirt and a pink jeogori (Korean traditional jacket) among others. After the donation ceremony, Na told a Dong-A Ilbo reporter saying, "None of Princess Deokhye`s clothes were in Korea, and they are important historical materials," adding, "We will open them to public through special exhibitions."

Kim Sun-hee, head of the Chojun Textile and Quilt Art Museum in Korea, had persuaded Onuma, her long-time acquaintance, to return them to Korea.

Princess Deokhye was born when King Gojong was 60 years old, and was loved by the royal family and the public. However, she was forced to study in Japan at age 13 when Korea was taken over by Japan. After suffering from a nervous breakdown, she married Count Takeyuki So of Tsushima in an arranged marriage when she was 19. She gave birth to a daughter, but was hospitalized as mental illness worsened. Worse yet, her daughter became a missing child and she was divorced in 1955.

The princess returned to Korea in 1962 and stayed at Changdeok Palace to pass away in 1989.

peacechaos@donga.com