The various clothes were excavated along with a mummy from the grave of Kim Wi, who was a civil official during the mid-Joseon Dynasty when his tomb was relocated due to the construction of Chungju Dam in Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do in 1980.
The exact date of the grave is not known; judging from the fact that he served as Governor during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, and according to the style and pattern of the clothes, however, the clothes excavated from the grave seem to belong to the period between the Japanese Invasion and the early 17th century.
Among the excavated clothes are cheollik (official robe) worn by civil and military officials when they were sent to a foreign country as an envoy, when they escorted the King, or during a national crisis, Jingnyeongpo, which resembles durumagi (Korean topcoat) but has a straight collar, dallyeong (courtier’s ceremonial robe) with a round collar, changui (topcoat), which has a partial opening, jeoksam (an unlined summer jacket), which is made of hemp, sokgot (petticoat), cotton socks, and silk cheongeum, which was used to cover the body.
The following artifacts were excavated: ① hemp jeoksam ② silk-lined jingnyeongpo ③ purple silk cheollik ④ cotton-padded sokgot ⑤ silk-padded sokgot ⑥ cotton quilted changui ⑦ brown-lined changui ⑧ cotton-padded socks ⑨ silk-lined changui ⑩ silk unlined cheollik ⑪ silk quilted changui ⑫ cotton-padded silk sokgot ⑬ silk-lined cheollik ⑭ silk jingnyeongpo ⑮ dallyeong (ceremonial robe).
These clothes all belonged to Kim Wi, who served as Governor during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. They show very well the style of formal clothes at that time. In particular, dallyeongpo, whose collar is round, and jingnyeong whose collar is straight were found together. Thus, the excavation clearly shows the custom of dress, which was previously uncertain. In other words, jingnyeong or changui was worn in ordinary times, and dallyeong was worn over it during attendance at the office. In addition, jingnyeong has a lining, but dallyeong has none. The sleeves are relatively narrow, which is a typical style during the early Joseon period.
The artifacts from the time of Imjin Waeran provide valuable information in studying the style of Korean clothes.