The Site of Seonjamdan Altar in Seoul, where the Seonjam Ritual Was Held to Pray for Prosperous Sericulture

Seongbuk-dong, embraced by a backdrop of gentle mountain ridges, offers a panoramic view of the city’s ancient stone walls stretching endlessly. Not far from this location is the Seonjamdan Altar, where the Seonjam Ritual, one of the vital state rituals of the Joseon Dynasty alongside the royal ancestral rites at Jongmyo, the Sajik altar, and the Seonnongje agricultural ritual, was performed. The Seonjam Ritual was held to pray for the prosperity of sericulture. Today, over twenty mulberry trees still grow at the site, although, under the influence of Japanese rule at the end of the Korean Empire, the scale of the ritual was diminished, and the 400-year-old mulberry trees eventually disappeared.

The Seonjam Ritual was a tribute to ‘Seoreung,’ the deity who first taught humans how to raise silkworms. The ceremony was a plea for abundant harvests, with the queen of Joseon setting an example by personally demonstrating the silkworm-rearing process and promoting sericulture across the kingdom. Just as ‘Seoreung’ had once protected the people from cold and peril by imparting the skills of sericulture and weaving, the ritual also embodied the benevolent policies of the state, encouraging care for the people’s livelihood.

Entering the space, one encounters various stories of the Seonjam Ritual. The handle at the entrance, wrapped in silk thread, leaves a delicate touch on the fingertips. Passing through the door, one steps into a red thread gateway, evoking the image of a hongsalmun (a traditional spiked red gate designed to ward off misfortune), instilling a sense of reverence and formality.

Additionally, visitors are treated to sensory experiences, such as a sofa shaped like a silkworm moth, silk thread lights inspired by traditional looms, a room where visitors can hear the sounds of silkworms from inside a cocoon-shaped structure, and drinks inspired by mulberry leaves. Here, one can experience the past and present of Seongbuk-dong, the aesthetics of sericulture, and the art of textiles through all five senses.

This space attempts to evoke synesthetic imagery, reintroducing a forgotten culture by transferring sensations. It seeks to honor the value of time and tradition passed down since 1477, creating a space filled with stories unique to Korea without borrowing from the West or Japan.

While engaged in numerous projects, particularly in the F&B sector, I’ve long harbored a personal interest in food and drink. I’ve dreamed of running a bar or café for many years. Even after completing hundreds of projects, I could only truly understand the challenges clients face through actual operations. This desire to bridge that gap always lingered in my mind. However, juggling a side project amidst the demands of my primary work was never easy. Then, as our office team grew, the need for more space became apparent, and I began looking for a new location. During this search, I stumbled upon a charming space with a courtyard. Initially, I started with lighthearted intentions—creating an office and a place of rest. Although many cafés in Korea reflect the cultures of Europe, Australia, or Japan, few celebrate our heritage. This realization led me to commit to creating a space that embodies Korean culture.

Hongjeonmun

The Hongjeonmun gate serves as the entrance to Café Seonjam, symbolizing the space's sanctity and formality. It stands as a marker to indicate that the area is a place of reverence and respect.

Seonjamdan

On the recreated site of the Seonjamdan Altar, Café Seonjam prepares beverages and desserts with utmost care. The process of crafting food, with glass moths fluttering in the air, resembles the ritual preparations made on an auspicious day in late spring when offerings were made to Seonjam, the deity of silkworms.

Jamsil (Silkworm Room)

Enclosed by pure white silkworms, this space is nestled within a mulberry grove, offering an ideal environment for silkworms to thrive. Staying in Jamsil, the silkworm room, allows visitors to feel the soft, smooth texture of the white, rounded silkworms. The space sequence flows seamlessly into the mulberry forest, where mulberry trees and silkworms coexist harmoniously.

Sangnim (Silkworm Forest)

A table adorned with lush green plants forms a silkworm frame, creating a space reminiscent of a rich forest, perfect for nurturing silkworms. The plants beneath the table and the verdant landscape outside blend together, evoking the sense of being in the heart of a mulberry grove.

Cheonjam (Heavenly Silkworm)

Cheonjam refers to the silkworm moth, regarded as a divine creature sent from heaven. Thirty thousand threads sway in the wind, simulating the elegant flight of the silkworm moth descending from the sky. The shadows cast by the threads, falling from the high skylight to the floor, resemble untangled silk threads, metaphorically representing spinning, cocooning, and metamorph

osis into a moth. As light, wind, and thread

s interact, you can sense the gentle flutter of the silkworm moth’s wings beneath the graceful movement of these threads.

Silk Weaving

This workshop, dedicated to the meticulous craft of silk weaving, represents the dedication and care of silk artisans. The delicate silk, created through a time-consuming and sacred process, is woven into the fabric of Café Seonjam, where it is thoughtfully placed throughout. Lighting fixtures in the shape of looms display the silk woven process, casting a warm glow that evokes the spirit of a master silk weaver's studio.

Samyu (The Three Silkworm Sleeps)

Samyu refers to the three stages of rest that silkworms undergo as they grow. External light and sound are partially blocked in this space, creating a dark and serene atmosphere. Soft lighting in the shape of cocoons gently illuminates the room. The quiet, dark ambiance offers visitors a peaceful sense of rest as silkworms rest within their cocoons before transforming into moths.