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| Japanese straw goods vendors in the late 19th century. Robert Neff Collection |
By Robert Neff
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| A jipsin (straw shoe) vendor in the late 19th century. Robert Neff Collection |
One of my favorite stories about the straw dolls comes from the Korea Review (an English-language magazine published in Seoul from 1901 to 1906).
According to the story, there was a rich man living in Seoul who suddenly fell very sick. His wife ― a very good woman ― was greatly alarmed and tried every medicine she could but none seemed to work.
Finally, in desperation, she went to her neighbors and asked them if they thought making a straw doll with a prayer written on a note and hidden inside of it might work. They expressed some skepticism but apparently urged her try.
Of course, she knew, if anyone picked it up they would be cursed with the disease that was quickly killing her husband but in desperation her charitable spirit was laid aside.
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| Working straw for roofs in the late 19th century. Robert Neff Collection |
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| A corpse wrapped in straw outside the city walls in the late 19th century. Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection |
Finally, when she had all but given up hope, "a poor fellow, on the verge of starvation, determined that as long as he must die anyway he might as well run the risk. So he seized the silk-clad manikin and put down the street as fast as his legs would carry him. He stripped off the gaudy garments and pawned them. Not for many a long month had he held so much money in his pouch."
But his joy with his new-found wealth was short-lived. That very night, as he wined and dined, he was suddenly seized by the same affliction that had caused the doll to be made. By morning the desperate beggar was corpse.
As for the husband, he apparently recovered, and his wife danced with joy. However, that night, she was visited in her dreams by the spirit of the poor beggar who informed her that a goblin had claimed his soul. We don't know what happened next ― I would like to think that the woman felt some guilt and offered sacrifices so that the poor wretch might be spared eternal misery but who knows.
So remember, if you should happen to find a seemingly forgotten straw doll on the street ― especially one with coins and money attached to it ― it might be healthier to just keep on walking. Nothing is free.
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| A straw goods vendor on the streets of Seoul in 2021. Robert Neff Collection |
Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books including, Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
