Korean Mother-of-Pearl (Najeonchilgi) Craft Making Class

What is najeonchilgi

Najeonchilgi is a traditional Korean lacquerware technique that inlays thin pieces of iridescent mother-of-pearl shell into a lacquered wooden surface, historically used to decorate furniture, boxes, and other fine household items for the upper class. The technique requires considerable skill and patience, traditionally taking master craftspeople years to fully learn.

The beginner class process

• Beginner classes typically simplify the traditional multi-step process, working with pre-cut mother-of-pearl pieces rather than requiring participants to cut their own shell inlays.
• Participants generally arrange and adhere the shell pieces onto a small pre-lacquered item, such as a coaster or small box, under instructor guidance.
• The full traditional lacquering process, which involves multiple layers and drying periods, is usually pre-completed by the studio before the class begins.

What you make

Most beginner classes result in a small, genuinely usable finished item, such as a coaster, small tray, or jewelry box, giving participants a tangible souvenir reflecting a traditional craft rather than just a demonstration. A few specialty studios and cultural centers in Seoul offer these classes, generally requiring advance booking given their smaller class sizes.

Museums dedicated to traditional Korean lacquerware, found in a few cities around the country, offer useful additional context on the craft's history if a hands-on class sparks broader interest. The finished items from these classes make distinctive gifts, given how specifically tied the technique is to Korean craft tradition compared to more widely available souvenirs.

Because the lacquer needs time to properly cure, most classes send finished pieces by mail rather than handing them over the same day.