The Joy-Bearing Kkot-Kama (Traditional Korean Marriage Bridal Sedan Chair)
The kama was a means of transportation. It generally resembles a small dwelling, consisting of a large square box with a roof above. People entered from the door in front and sat down inside. There are two long rods under the kama that can be lifted and moved by two or four people, sometimes with ropes.
It is unclear when people started to use the kama. Kama greatly diversified during the Joseon era, with different types emerging depending on the social status of the occupant. Commoners were also allowed to ride the kama on their wedding day. The bride would be carried in a kama carried by four people. Neighbors would gather to see the door open and the bride come out. Because it carried the glamorous bride, the word for “flower” (kkot) was sometimes attached as a prefix to kama.
The kama in the picture was purchased by Jeoun-ryeon Heo (September 7, 1924 - August 30, 2001) from Gyeongsangnam-do for his daughter's wedding in the early 1980s. The ten auspicious symbols in Korean tradition are embroidered onto the kama, including the mandarin duck for the harmonious relationship between husband and wife, and the turtle and crane for longevity and auspiciousness.
