Anchae

An anchae ( ) is a section of a Korean traditional house (hanok) that is reserved for women of the household. It can be composed of a number of rooms with different functions, including notably the anbang ( ), the innermost room reserved for the female head of the household. In smaller homes, the anchae may consist of just a single anbang and a kitchen. The sarangchae and sarangbang are the male-oriented counterparts, and could be either connected to the anchae or anbang, or be a separate building altogether. Guests (especially male guests) were prohibited from entering the anchae, and were instead generally hosted in the sarangchae. Due to this, precious items were usually stored in the anchae, as guests were less likely to have access to the space. However, the male head of the household and his immediate descendants were allowed into the anbang. The head couple was generally expected to sleep separately in their respective rooms, however. These gendered spaces first emerged around the Joseon period, following a Confucian ideal of strict separation of genders. They became widespread during that period, even in the countryside. However, they are now uncommon.

An anchae ( ) is a section of a Korean traditional house (hanok) that is reserved for women of the household. It can be composed of a number of rooms with different functions, including notably the anbang ( ), the innermost room reserved for the female head of the household. In smaller homes, the anchae may consist of just a single anbang and a kitchen. The sarangchae and sarangbang are the male-oriented counterparts, and could be either connected to the anchae or anbang, or be a separate building altogether. Guests (especially male guests) were prohibited from entering the anchae, and were instead generally hosted in the sarangchae. Due to this, precious items were usually stored in the anchae, as guests were less likely to have access to the space. However, the male head of the household and his immediate descendants were allowed into the anbang. The head couple was generally expected to sleep separately in their respective rooms, however. These gendered spaces first emerged around the Joseon period, following a Confucian ideal of strict separation of genders. They became widespread during that period, even in the countryside. However, they are now uncommon. ==Description== The anchae was considered the central or main building of the household, and was generally larger than the sarangchae. It was designed to facilitate the role of women in managing the household. The anchae would also include other rooms such as the sadangchae, or family shrine; the bueok, or kitchen, which was commonly attached to the front of the anbang; the daecheong, a large wood-floored hall that connected the anbang to other rooms and functioned as both a pantry and a family gathering place; and various rooms for other female family members besides the head of the household. Next to the anchae, there was typically a courtyard to separate it from the sarangchae and provide a neutral space. ==See also== Korean Confucianism History of women in Korea ==References==

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