While in Korea, I bought a few “souvenirs” for myself, but my favourite, almost two years later, is the Dojang, a Korean name stamp (my second favourite is the North Face jacket I begrudgingly bought when the weather dropped below 0°C).
When I first saw the Dojang in a few shops in Insadong, I didn’t think much of it. I mean, what would I do with a Korean stamp of my name?
But the next day, when I saw it again, I started warming up to it, especially as I read more about its history and cultural importance in Korean culture up to the present day. Eventually, one night, I told Fafa I wanted to go to Insadong again to get this stamp. Fafa, being Fafa, just let out a big sigh and said okay.
The following day, we stopped at Jonggak Station on Seoul Subway Line 1 and went on two different journeys. He went to the Starbucks Reserve at Jongno Tower, and I walked the not-so-short way back to Insadong.
There were several shops in Insadong sell Dojang, and I went to the store that had caught my attention on the first day.
Dojang 101
Photos weren’t allowed inside, but the gist is that you first choose the body of the stamp, which is roughly the size of a pinky finger. It can be either round or rectangular. The stamp is made of plastic, crystal, wood, or stone and comes in various patterns and colours. Some even have beautiful carvings on them. All of these factors determine the price. As usual, I took a long time looking through everything and choosing my Dojang, but the staff were patient and let me be. Next, you decide the personalized name you want to put on the stamp.
I chose “Kulture Kween” “and was asked what ink I wanted to use. I chose red. Then I paid 40,000 KRW (around AUD 45, a tourist price, but worth it IMO) and was asked to return in about an hour to collect the Dojang.
By then, Fafa had joined me in Insadong, so we roamed around for a bit before resting at the Poop Café and Ssamziegil for my daily fix of Taro Latte.
Dojang: A Cultural Keepsake from Korea
Fifty minutes later, I collected my Dojang and was given a beautiful pink zipper bag to protect it. I was very pleased and still am. The stamp lives on my desk, and I occasionally use it on postcards, journals, and greeting cards. If you’re looking for a cultural souvenir from Korea for yourself or someone else, the Dojang is affordable (prices start from AUD 10), personal, and adorable. It’s tiny, making it a lovely cultural keepsake, present, or even a unique birthday or wedding gift.
Also, I faintly remember getting a Hanko, the Japanese equivalent of a Dojang, during my early trips to Japan, but I couldn’t find it in my stationery stash. Maybe it’s my parents?
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