Mitch Lewis

I've published several galleries of photographs that my wife and I took while out and about during our 25 months in the Republic of Korea. This is an index to those posts:

• Around Daegu
• Out in the Country
• Down by the Sea
• Andong Mask Dance
• Shamanist Rituals
• Buddhist Temple Scenes

Andong Mask Dance Festival

The small city of Andong hosts a traditional Korean mask dance festival every fall. There's quite a variety of activities in addition to the major mask dance presentations. These photos were taken in 2007 and 2008.

One of six Korea Photograph Galleries.

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Korea - Out in the Country

Much of the Korean population lives in and near large, modern cities. Modernity is changing urban Korean culture at breakneck speed. These photographs come from Korea's more rural districts. Driving through Korea's rural farmland is a lot like driving through north Georgia; artifacts of a dying way of life sit side by side with more contemporary homes - except that there's no kudzu, and an old-style Korean farmhouse is a good bit different than those found in the rural south. It seems to me that Koreans are more intentional about preserving the old ways, as well. Still, modern urban culture is making its way to the countryside; rural Koreans are adopting modern technology. And, like their American counterparts,? developers are beginning to offer urban Koreans an the opportunity to find a restful oasis outside the busy city centers. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the photograph.

One of six Korea Photograph Galleries.

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Around Daegu, Korea

The city of Daegu has been my home for the past 25 months. It is a modern city, with its 2.5 million people living increasingly in high-rise apartment buildings. My wife and I took these pictures in and around Daegu. Specific localities include Seomun market, the banks of the Sincheon river, Woobang Tower and Apsan park on the mountain immediately behind my home. Click on the thumbnails to see a larger version of the photographs.

One of six Korea Photograph Galleries.

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Korea - Down  by the Sea

I took the following photos on the southeast Korean coast from Busan to Pohang. Busan is huge commercial port, with Haeundae Beach being one of the biggest tourist spots in the country. The Jagalchi fish market is the largest on the peninsula. Outside of Busan, however, the coast is largely undeveloped as a tourist destination. Fall is cuttlefish harvesting season, and the entire coast is filled with racks of drying squid. The small, rocky islet is the "Underwater Tomb" of King Munmu. Most of the folks on the beach when I visited were there to fish. The final pictures were taken at the Homigot National Sunrise Plaza, the easternmost point in South Korea on the southern edge of Pohang harbor. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the photograph.

One of six Korea Photograph Galleries.

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Shamanist Rituals in Korea

Shamanism's roots in Korea predate even the arrival of Buddhism. Throughout the last two millenia, ancient folk-religion, animism and spiritism have shaped - and been shaped by - Korean expressions of Confucianism and Buddhism. Shamanism continues to exist in Korea in various forms. Most of the following pictures were taken at a gut at the Andong Mask Dance Festival in 2007. Is it a traditional cultural performance? Is it spirit possession? Different observers would have had a different perceptions about what was going on. In any case, the still photos don't capture the ecstatic energy of the shaman (or, more properly, mudang ??).

The final two pictures come from the east coast of Korea near the tomb of king Munmu. There were two women performing rituals on the lonely beach when I was there. There was also one person performing a loud, energetic gut in a hut just up from the beach. I caught glimpses of the twirling shaman as I passed by the hut, but I could hear the ritual from 100 meters away. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version.

One of six Korea Photograph Galleries.

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