Sat-gat -a conical hat woven from bamboo or reeds—is a quintessential object of the ordinary. Spanning from the Three Kingdoms period into the modern era, its deep eaves were designed to shield the commoner from rain and sun, or to offer a veil of anonymity to vagabonds and women alike.

In the context of the Dokkaebi, the Sat-gat is the perfect vessel for transformation. Folklore tells of these spirits manifesting from objects that have shared a long, intimate history with their owners. A hat that has weathered decades of labor and travel, absorbing the sweat and stories of the wearer, is no longer merely functional; it becomes a "charged" item. Much like the trickster Dokkaebi who hides in plain sight, the Satgat serves as both a tool of protection and a mask for the unknown, bridging the gap between the humble domestic life and the supernatural realm.

Image courtesy the artist and ai.